Lapid bill seeks mandatory defibrillators in crowded areas

Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines —  Senator Lito Lapid is seeking the passage of a measure that would make Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) mandatory in public places and in crowded private areas like malls and resorts.

An AED is a portable, life-saving device designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest,  according to the explanatory note of  Senate Bill No. 2474 recently filed by Lapid.

“Napakadelikado ng mga sakit na may kinalaman sa ating puso pero hindi ibig sabihin magpapatalo na lamang tayo at mananatiling walang laban sa sakit na ito,”  the senator said in a statement on Wednesday.

(Any heart-related disease is life-threatening but it doesn’t mean that we should just accept defeat and stay helpless against it.)

If the bill is passed into law, all government buildings, including but not limited to offices, courts, schools, public parks, markets, airports, seaports, train stations, and other transport terminals, would be required to place AEDs in their premises.

The placement of AEDs would likewise be mandated in private places with a high volume of people such as hotels, resorts, casinos, malls, condominiums sports and entertainment venues, amusement parks, factories, and similar places.

“Making AEDs available for use in times of sudden cardiac arrests will increase the chances of survival of the people afflicted by this dreaded condition. By revitalizing their hearts, we are giving them a new lease on life,” Lapid also said in the explanatory note.

Under the bill, the Department of Health is tasked to lead public education and awareness campaign about the importance of AEDs in saving lives.

“Ang mga ganitong kagamitan ay dapat lang na pinaglalaanan ng pondo ng ating gobyerno dahil malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga kababayang may sakit sa puso,” the senator  further stressed.

(This kind of  equipment should be funded by our government as this is a big help for our countrymen with heart illness.)

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, several heart diseases remain among the leading causes of death in the country.

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