JUNE 10, 2016

NR # 4227B

Proposed Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act may yet become
law this 16th Congress
A bill seeking to require Basic Education students to undergo age-appropriate basic
life support training may yet become a law this 16th Congress after the House of
Representatives recently adopted the Senate version as an amendment to the lower
chambers proposal.
The House approved its version of the proposal, House Bill 6204 or An Act
Requiring Basic Education Students to Undergo Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Training on third and final last December 15, 2016. The Senate passed Senate Bill 3204
or an Act Requiring Basic Education Students to Undergo Age appropriate Basic Life
Support Training on May 23, 2016.
The House subsequently adopted Senate Bill 3204 as an amendment to HB 6204 on
May 23, 2016.
Senate Bill 3204, which shall be known as the Basic Life Support Training in
Schools Act, provides that pursuant to Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, it is
the declared State policy to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them.
Pursuant thereto, the State shall ensure that able-bodied citizens are equipped with
the necessary knowledge and basic skills to respond to certain health emergencies.
It shall be the duty of all public and private basic education schools operating
nationwide to provide their students with basic life support training through the use of
psychomotor training in an age appropriate manner.
The Instruction shall include programs which have been developed by the
Philippine Heart Association (PHA) or Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) using
nationally-recognized, evidence based guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care, and
psychomotor training, to support the instruction.
As far as practicable, basic education schools shall incorporate basic life support
training as part of the schools comprehensive health and physical education curriculum.
The bill refers to psychomotor training as hands-on practice to support cognitive
learning.
All successful student-trainees shall be certified to have undergone the training
required by a competent school authority, the bill provides.

The school principal or administrator shall coordinate with the Department of

Health (DOH) for its assistance in providing competent instructors for the schools 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.
The appropriation to carry out the provisions of the Act shall be charged against the
current years appropriation of the department of the implementing agencies. Thereafter,
such amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of the Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Lastly, within 90 days from the approval of the Act, the Secretary of Education, in
consultation with the Secretary of Health, shall formulate the rules and regulations,
implementing the provisions of the Act.
Senate Bill 3204 was prepared by the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and
Culture chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano and Committee on Health and Demography chaired
by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, with Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara and Cayetano
as authors thereof.
Meanwhile, House Bill 6204 is authored by Reps. Joseller "Yeng" Guiao, Kimi
Cojuangco, Eulogio Amang Magsaysay, Sol Aragones, Evelina Escudero, Neri
Colmenares, Antonio A. del Rosario, Carlos Zarate, Antonio Tinio, Rosenda Ann
Ocampo, Rodel Batocabe and Eric Olivarez. (30) rbb