KAAGAPAY SA KALIGTASAN: Bell-Kenz Pharma and Naga City Empower BHWs as Life-Saving ‘Kaagapay’ of the Nagueño

Naga City’s frontliners take the lead in grassroots emergency response through the Sagip CPR Training of Trainers

NAGA CITY, Philippines — In a community where every second can mean the difference between life and death, empowerment has taken on a more urgent and life-saving form.

Through a joint initiative of Bell-Kenz Pharma and the City Government of Naga City, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are being equipped not only with essential skills but also with the confidence to act as first responders within their communities.

The recently conducted Sagip CPR Training of Trainers (TOT) marks a significant step in strengthening grassroots emergency response, transforming BHWs into “Kaagapay”—trusted partners in saving lives during cardiac emergencies.

Turning Communities into First Lines of Defense

Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of sudden death, often occurring outside hospitals where immediate medical care is not readily available. In these critical moments, prompt bystander intervention—especially cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)—can greatly improve survival rates.

To address this gap, Bell-Kenz Pharma and the Naga City government gathered health frontliners from various barangays for an intensive training program. The sessions focused on Basic Life Support (BLS), hands-only CPR, and the proper use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

More than technical training, the program emphasized leadership—preparing participants not only to respond effectively but also to train others in their communities.

From Learners to Life-Savers

For many BHWs, the experience was both transformative and empowering.

“Dati, kapag may emergency, umaasa lang kami sa ambulansya o sa pagdating ng doktor. Ngayon, alam na namin na kaya naming magsimula ng tulong agad,” one participant shared.

This shift—from passive responders to proactive lifesavers—captures the essence of the Sagip CPR TOT program. Each trained BHW is expected to cascade their knowledge throughout their barangays, creating a ripple effect of preparedness across the city.

Building a Culture of Readiness

According to Mayor Leni Robredo, the initiative goes beyond a one-time training. It is part of a broader effort to build a culture of emergency readiness at the community level.

With every trained BHW, more households become safer. Schools, markets, and barangay halls are strengthened as points of response. Most importantly, ordinary citizens are empowered to perform life-saving actions in critical moments.

A Continuing Commitment

As the Sagip CPR Training of Trainers concludes, both partners reaffirm their commitment to expanding life-saving education to more communities. 

Because in the end, the goal is clear and compelling:

No Nagueño should be helpless in the face of a cardiac emergency—because someone, somewhere, is always ready to respond.

About Bell-Kenz Pharma:

Bell-Kenz Pharma is a Filipino-owned pharmaceutical company dedicated to providing high-quality yet affordable healthcare solutions. Its "Sagip CPR" advocacy is a nationwide campaign to train 1 million Filipinos in Hands-Only CPR. For more information, contact Paula San Esteban at paula.sanesteban@bellkenzpharma.com or visit www.bell-kenz.net.

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