As Bell-Kenz Pharma celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, the Filipino-owned healthcare company is expanding its flagship Sagip CPR advocacy into one of the country's busiest transport corridors by launching the Bell-Kenz Sagip CPR Nautical Highway in Cebu City.
Timed ahead of the observance of National Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Day on July 17, the initiative brings together the City Government of Cebu, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Department of Health (DOH) to help build CPR-ready communities along the Philippine Nautical Highway by equipping more Filipinos with life-saving emergency response skills.
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The expansion marks another milestone for Sagip CPR, Bell-Kenz Pharma's nationwide advocacy launched in 2025 to train one million Filipinos in Hands-Only CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness. The program was established in response to the growing need for immediate community intervention during cardiac emergencies, where the first few minutes before professional medical responders arrive can make the difference between life and death.
"Sagip CPR aims to enable a critical mass nationwide with the competence and confidence of responding to cardiac emergencies," said Patrick Larraga, Corporate Branding and Public Affairs Head of Bell-Kenz Pharma.
Observed annually under Republic Act No. 10871, National CPR Day promotes CPR awareness and training among Filipinos. While the law requires CPR education in schools, Bell-Kenz's advocacy seeks to extend these life-saving skills beyond classrooms and into communities, workplaces, transport hubs, and other everyday settings where cardiac emergencies may occur.
Bringing Life-Saving Skills to the Country's Busiest Sea Routes
The inaugural rollout in Cebu City will train more than 1,000 participants, including barangay health workers, local government personnel, and Philippine Coast Guard personnel. The sessions will cover heart health awareness, Hands-Only CPR, and the proper use of Automated External Defibrillators.
Coast Guard District Central Visayas Commander Agapito Bibat underscored the significance of the initiative, saying, "The Sagip CPR Nautical Highway elevates transport corridors into channels for spreading life-saving knowledge, enabling more trained Filipinos as first responders."
As one of the country's busiest maritime gateways, Cebu serves as an ideal starting point for expanding the advocacy to communities connected by the nation's sea transport network.
"The launch demonstrates how local government, national agencies, and the private sector can work together to build safer, more resilient communities," Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said.
Two Decades of Healthcare Beyond Medicines
The launch also reflects Bell-Kenz Pharma's continued evolution, marking two decades of serving Filipino communities. Since its establishment in 2006 with only three products, the company has grown into a national healthcare partner with more than 400 employees and an expanding portfolio of quality and affordable medicines.
Beyond pharmaceuticals, Bell-Kenz has continued to invest in initiatives that promote health education, emergency preparedness, and community wellness. These efforts are guided by its "Kaagapay ng Pilipino" philosophy, anchored on four pillars: Kaagapay sa Kalidad, which provides quality and affordable medicines; Kaagapay sa Kalinga, which advances community health and emergency preparedness through programs such as Sagip CPR; Kaagapay sa Pangarap, which supports the Bell-Kenz Foundation's scholarship initiatives; and Kaagapay sa Kalusugan, which expands healthcare access and strengthens partnerships for healthier Filipino communities.
With the launch of the Sagip CPR Nautical Highway, Bell-Kenz reinforces its commitment to making life-saving knowledge more accessible, empowering communities across the country to respond confidently during cardiac emergencies while advancing a shared culture of preparedness and public health.
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