MAKATI CITY — As the global community observes World Restart a Heart Day on October 16, 2026, Makati stands as a local example of how sustained investment in emergency preparedness can turn ordinary residents into lifesavers. The annual campaign, led by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, emphasizes that bystander CPR can double or triple survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In Makati, this principle is reflected not only in public awareness but in concrete infrastructure and training programs that place lifesaving tools and skills within reach of the community. The city’s approach demonstrates that preparedness is not a one-day event but a continuing commitment to protecting every Makatizen.
A City Equipped With Lifesaving Technology and Training
Makati’s commitment to cardiac emergency response is anchored in the strategic deployment of automated external defibrillators across public spaces. The city has installed 136 AEDs in public schools and the Makati City Hall, making these portable devices readily accessible in locations where large numbers of students, teachers, and government employees gather. Beyond equipment, the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, in partnership with the Philippine Heart Association, has conducted Basic Life Support and First Aid training for city employees, school DRRM coordinators, and barangay personnel. Through its Training of Trainers program, Makati has created a pool of certified instructors who can cascade these skills to residents across the city’s barangays. The Makati DRRM Academy at the University of Makati further institutionalizes this effort by offering courses such as BLS-First Aid, DRRM 101, and Basic Emergency Medical Technician training to residents aged 18 and above. These programs ensure that the knowledge required to restart a heart is not confined to hospitals but is distributed throughout the community.
Partnerships Expand the Reach of Lifesaving Skills
Makati’s preparedness ecosystem is strengthened by partnerships with private and civic organizations. In July 2026, Bell-Kenz Pharma, through its Sagip CPR Program, joined forces with the Makati Medical Center Foundation to bring hands-on CPR and emergency response training to the Far Eastern University community. Students, faculty, and staff learned that effective CPR is about maintaining blood flow and oxygen to the brain during the crucial minutes before professional help arrives. This collaboration reflects a broader understanding that saving lives requires collective effort, and that every trained individual becomes a potential first responder for their family, neighbors, and community. As World Restart a Heart Day reminds us, cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. In Makati, the tools and training are increasingly within reach, but the final step belongs to residents themselves. Learning the basics of CPR, knowing where AEDs are located, and being willing to act in an emergency are simple but profound ways to contribute to community safety. For Makati, the message of October 16 is clear: your hands can restart a heart, and every second counts.
