YENG Guiao, back when he was the Pampanga Representative, was the principal author of the Samboy Lim Law or CPR Law that requires basic education students to undergo basic life support training. The law was passed on July 17, 2016.
Ten years since the law was enacted, the Rain or Shine coach admitted the law has yet to be implemented by the Department of Education, and he hopes that will change soon.
“May isang buhay lang tayong maisalba, may isang buhay lang tayong masagip, worth it na itong batas na ito,” Guiao said.
Calls for the full implementation of the law was made on Friday during National CPR Day, celebrated every July 17, the date that the CPR law, or Republic Act 10871, was passed.
On Friday, the Philippine Health Association (PHA) conducted a seminar at Barangay Rizal in Taguig City on the basics of CPR to barangay workers, tanods, and other stakeholders.
“May bago tayong misyon, buhayin ulit ang Samboy Lim Law. Kailangan natin itong i-CPR. Kailangan umpisahan ulit ang pagla-lobby para mapondohan ito ng Department of Education,” said Guiao, who was the guest speaker in the event held at the Rizal Covered Court.
Guiao filed the bill after Lim collapsed while playing basketball in November 2014, with no one having the knowledge of administering basic CPR. Instead, Lim was brought from the venue to The Medical City, the trip of which took more than 20 minutes.
Experts said that a ‘four-minute window with CPR’ would have minimized the effect of the cardiac arrest on Lim, who passed away nine years after he sustained the cardiac arrest.
Guiao said Lim’s wife and now-Solictor General Len Berberabe has been lobbying for the CPR Law to be funded to jumpstart the program.
“Sinusubukan natin na mag-lobby o ipaglaban na bigyan ng pondo sa susunod na taon o kundi man sa susunod na taon, at least maumpisahan. Pag napondohan ito, magtutuloy-tuloy na ito, unti-unting madadagdagan ‘yan,” Guiao said.
PHA president Dr. Aurora Muriel Gamponia also emphasized the importance of lifesaving education to the barangay level.
“When immediate CPR is provided, it gives the person a chance of survival and hopefully prevents irreversible systemic organ failure. The sooner CPR is given, the less severe the damage and the better the chance that the person can survive and return to an active life,” Gamponia said.
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