The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) has expressed its support to the Department of Tourism’s first aid kiosk program in major tourist destinations.
The kiosks, staffed by medical professionals in Boracay, La Union, Panglao, Palawan and Puerto Galera, are equipped with basic first aid tools and communication systems to provide immediate emergency assistance to travelers.
The group said integrating emergency preparedness into tourism is essential for resident and visitor safety.
Region 4-A (Calabarzon) and Region 4-B (Mimaropa) host high-traffic attractions such as Taal Volcano, Pagsanjan Falls, Masungi Georeserve, Enchanted Kingdom, and resorts in Palawan and Puerto Galera.
Meanwhile, PHA-Southern Tagalog Chapter said its primary initiative is the region-wide rollout of free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in barangays, towns and cities.
The effort supports the national CPR-ready campaign, which aims to equip Filipino communities with CPR skills and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
PHA-Southern Tagalog president Ray Albert Cabigan pledged to expand CPR training through partnerships with local governments, hospitals and non-government organizations.
Cabigan said the chapter would continue physician education programs such as Guru 2.0, strengthen community health advocacy and promote the PHA’s “Puso Muna” (Heart First) healthy lifestyle campaign. (PNA)