Sagip CPR trains caregivers of individuals with cerebral palsy in Dasmariñas

The Hands-Only CPR training will bring together families, caregivers, persons with disabilities, and different sectors for Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week.

Bell-Kenz Pharma’s brought its flagship advocacy, Sagip CPR, to the largest city in Cavite,  Dasmariñas on September 17 as part of the 23rd Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week, in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CPAP), and other partner organizations.

The activity placed disability inclusion at the center of emergency preparedness, recognizing the contributions that persons with disabilities, their families, and caregivers can make toward safer communities.

Turning disability awareness into practical preparedness

Bringing CPR awareness to the caregivers of individuals with cerebral palsy spell out a huge statement. In a 2019 study published in Neurology, researchers found that adults with cerebral palsy are about twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory disease compared to adults without cerebral palsy. 

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) estimates that cerebral palsy affects 1 to 2 percent of the population, or around one million Filipinos. For Filipino families caring for individuals with cerebral palsy, these findings underscore the importance of emergency preparedness at home. Caregivers may be the first to witness an emergency, making access to CPR training particularly valuable.

By bringing lifesaving education closer to these families, Sagip CPR aims to help caregivers recognize cardiac emergencies, seek immediate assistance, and respond while professional help is on the way. 

This advances a more inclusive approach to community safety, where individuals with cerebral palsy, other persons with disabilities, and those who care for them are included in emergency preparedness efforts.

Strengthening community preparedness in Cavite’s growing economy

In 2025, Cavite accounted for 25.3% of Calabarzon’s economy, making it the region’s second-largest after Laguna. It also posted the fastest growth among the region’s provinces, with its economy expanding by 6.7%, up from 5.2% in 2024.

As Cavite’s economy grows, strengthening the preparedness of the people behind its households, workplaces, and communities remains essential. 

This includes persons with disabilities and the families and caregivers who support their daily needs. Expanding their access to lifesaving education helps ensure that community safety is part of the province’s development.

Through the Sagip CPR training with CPAP, participants have an opportunity to learn about recognizing cardiac emergencies, performing Hands-Only CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED). 

For parents and caregivers of individuals with cerebral palsy, the activity brings emergency preparedness closer to the home, where they provide everyday care and support.

Inclusive preparedness also recognizes that people have different abilities and can take on different roles during an emergency. Calling for assistance, alerting nearby responders, locating an AED, and helping guide emergency personnel to the scene are meaningful ways to contribute. Encouraging these roles allows more people to participate in community safety.

The initiative connects Cavite’s economic progress with a broader goal: building communities where lifesaving knowledge is accessible to more people. 

By involving persons with disabilities alongside their families and caregivers, Sagip CPR promotes shared responsibility for preparedness and gives participants an opportunity to carry what they learn into their homes and communities.