Batangas, October 20, 2025 — In emergencies, every second counts. Knowing how to respond can mean the difference between panic and preparedness. To strengthen community resilience and local capacity, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) recently conducted a Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid Training for 73 community volunteers from TALIM communities under its Response to Community Under Emergency (RESCUE) Program in Batangas.
The training featured a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on application on key life-saving topics such as common emergencies, bandaging, splinting, BLS, and rescue transfer techniques. Participants practiced step-by-step emergency response procedures and developed the discipline and confidence needed to act swiftly and calmly when disaster strikes.
Since its inception in 2001, PSFI’s RESCUE Program has trained more than 9,600 individuals in Batangas alone. These trained volunteers, composed of community members, teachers, and local leaders, serve as crucial first responders during times of crisis, helping protect lives and livelihoods across TALIM communities and beyond. Their readiness continues to reinforce community safety and strengthen local resilience where it matters most.
The RESCUE Program remains one of PSFI’s cornerstone initiatives for community preparedness and safety. It ensures that even the most remote areas have individuals capable of delivering immediate assistance before professional responders arrive. PSFI also encourages barangays and schools to conduct simple emergency drills within their areas and is exploring partnerships with local government units (LGUs) and organizations to expand and sustain these initiatives.
“Maraming salamat po sa libreng training handog ng Pilipinas Shell Foundation,” shared Adhel De Leon, a PTA representative from San Isidro Elementary School. “Kami po ay natutuwa kasi madami kaming natutunan. Hindi lang po para sa amin, i-apply din po namin sa iba lalo na kung emergency at kailangan ng agarang tulong. Napakalaking tulong po sa amin ang programang ito.”
Inspired by Shell’s commitment to being a good neighbor, the RESCUE Program exemplifies how corporate social responsibility creates tangible and lasting impact. It empowers communities to become more resilient, self-sustaining, and compassionate toward one another. It also reflects PSFI’s broader vision of sustainable development, where communities are not just beneficiaries but active partners in protecting lives and promoting shared progress.
By equipping everyday citizens with life-saving skills, PSFI continues to advance its mission of sama-samang pagtulong, sabay-sabay na pagsulong, working hand in hand with communities for shared safety and collective growth.
