By Demi Nasol, Project Officer
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental. For Barangay Health Worker Richel Bual, a two-day Basic Life Support (BLS) training in Barangay Puntod was a chance to refresh her emergency response skills and practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for infants for the first time.
Bual was among 23 participants who completed the training on September 22 and 23, 2026. Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC) organized the training in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Cagayan de Oro Fire District and the Barangay Government of Puntod. The training helped frontline responders and volunteers prepare to provide immediate assistance during medical emergencies and disasters.
Practicing CPR and rescue breathing
The training brought together eight Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team members, five Barangay Health Workers, four rescue drivers, three representatives from the education sector, one Barangay Nutrition Scholar, one barangay staff member, and one barangay aide.
SFO3 Victor N. Mantuhac of the BFP Emergency Medical Services Section led the training with FO2 Oliver Paul A. Hatulan, FO2 Johnny B. Comendador, FO1 Novielaine B. Amparo, and FO1 Victor T. Macalutas III. The sessions combined discussion with hands-on exercises that gave participants the chance to practice CPR and rescue breathing techniques for adults, children, and infants.
In his opening remarks, Barangay Kagawad Marvin Beja emphasized the importance of being prepared for emergencies. He also spoke about how Shell’s support and training initiatives have helped strengthen the barangay’s emergency response capacity over the years.
For Bual, practicing infant CPR stood out.
We are very grateful to Shell and the BFP. The training was very helpful because it refreshed our knowledge. I'm also happy that I was able to experience infant CPR, as this was not previously taught to us. Thank you for this opportunity.
Equipping responders beyond the training
PSFI and SPC also donated ₱13,890 worth of training materials and emergency response supplies, including CPR masks, triangular and elastic bandages, cotton balls and rolls, a first aid kit, and latex-free gloves. Beja and the training participants formally received the donation on behalf of the barangay government.
The supplies will support future training and give Puntod’s frontline responders materials they can use when emergencies arise. By pairing hands-on instruction from the BFP with supplies the barangay can keep on hand, the partnership helps Puntod build on the skills its responders practiced during the two-day training.
