Marcos declares July 17 as ‘National CPR Day’

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has officially declared July 17 as “National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Day,” to promote health awareness across the country, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Through Proclamation No. 511 signed on March 27, Marcos highlighted the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in saving lives during emergencies like heart attacks or near drownings.

“There is a need to instill and continuously promote health consciousness among Filipinos by equipping them with the necessary information, knowledge, behavior, and skills to respond to health emergencies, including bringing CPR in every home as an emergency procedure,” Marcos said in a press release issued on Saturday.

The Department of Health will take charge of organizing and implementing yearly initiatives and programs for the National CPR Day.

The PCO said that all government agencies must actively participate, and non-government organizations and private sectors are encouraged to join in too. — Kristine Daguno-Bersamina