Bill requiring schools to teach basic life support ready for PNoy’s signature

A measure mandating all elementary and high schools to teach basic life support training to students has been transmitted to Malacañang for President Aquino’s signature for eventual enactment into law.

The bill ratified by the Senate and House of Representatives before their adjournment earlier this month aims to ensure that citizens are trained with necessary knowledge and basic skills to respond to health emergencies.

Under the proposed Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act, all public and private basic education schools nationwide will be required to teach basic life support training to students through the use of psychomotor training and in a manner appropriate for their age.

Lessons shall include programs developed by the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) or the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) through nationally-recognized and evidence-based guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care and psychomotor training.

The bill refers to psychomotor training as “hands-on practice to support cognitive learning.”

The measure provides that basic life support training shall become part of the schools’ comprehensive health and physical education curriculum. Students who shall complete the program successfully will be given certificates.

The school principal or administrator shall coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) for its assistance in providing competent instructors for the school’s basic life support basic education training program. The DOH shall accredit non-government organizations (NGOs) competent to provide basic life support instructions.

Students suffering from any physical or mental disability, which may render them unable to perform a basic life support procedure, are exempted from going through the basic life support training program. — Xianne Arcangel/BM, GMA News