RSE Foundation, Inc. (RSEFI), in collaboration with Makati City Health Emergency Management System (HEMS), successfully conducted the Department of Health Basic Life Support – Standard First Aid (DOH BLS-SFA) Training for select PTC Group Employees at First Maritime Place from June 15 to 18, 2026.
24 PTC Group employees from different business units signed up for the activity: representatives from RSE Foundation (3), MSC Cargo (4), Constellation Travels Inc. (1), Boers Visa Expert Center Inc. (1), Smartpark Systems Solutions Inc. (8), First Aviation Training Center (1), First Maritime Shared Services (1), First Maritime Credit Corporation (1), Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training (2), Safety and Sustainability Review Board (1), PTC Quality Assurance Department (1), and RSEFI partner CORE Resilience Consultancy Inc, (2), completed the four-day comprehensive training.
The DOH BLS-SFA Training is currently the preferred standard certification for BLS-SFA Training, where participants who successfully complete the training by attending the required lectures and passing the evaluations will be duly certified as First Aiders.
RSEFI, led by Programs and Initiatives Manager Hector Brizuela, initiated this activity to share this relevant opportunity to learn and apply BLS-SFA skills with PTC Group employees. “Accidents and emergencies can happen anytime, especially when you least expect them. Given the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao and the devastating effects it caused, it is high time for PTC Group employees to learn BLS-SFA, to help any injured co-worker or family member when needed. We are thankful to Makati City HEMS for accommodating our request for this training and for being passionate in teaching us practical and useful BLS-SFA skills.”
Makati City HEMS, led by Dr. Geoffrey Felipe, was both appreciative and thankful to RSEFI and the PTC Group employees for their dedication and drive to undergo the training. “On behalf of the Makati City Health Department and Makati City HEMS, we are thankful to RSE Foundation and The PTC Group for taking on the challenge of signing up their employees and having them certified as First Aiders. We are not only surprised by the level of seriousness that this batch exhibited for the training, but more importantly, the initiative and the determination they have shown even just to sign up for this. It is not easy to be a certified, proper First Aider, and the courage to be part of this should already be given credit.”
The first day of the DOH BLS-SFA training started with a pre-test to gauge the knowledge of the participants on Basic Life Support (BLS). Afterwards, Makati City HEMS proceeded with the discussion on the proper and practical Basic Life Support Concepts and Principles for adults, children, and infants, focusing on how to properly assess victims and apply necessary BLS interventions prior to the arrival of emergency medical professionals. After the discussion, a post-test was conducted to observe the improvement of the participants.
The second day of the DOH BLS-SFA training on the application of BLS knowledge and skills, particularly on Adult and Infant Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (FBAO) and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Rescue. The participants were enabled to practice the BLS protocols needed prior to the start of the actual evaluation. During the evaluation, the participants were paired to showcase the proper BLS protocols, where they exhibited different levels of determination, focus, and coordination.
The third day of the DOH BLS-SFA training started with a pre-test on Standard First Aid (SFA), which was followed by a comprehensive lecture on standard First Aid activation and different First Aid emergencies and how to appropriately and properly address them. The participants showed enthusiasm and curiosity, especially when clarifying important first aid practices, which were earnestly addressed by Makati City HEMS instructors.
The fourth and last day of the DOH BLS-SFA training started with the post-test of the prior days’ lecture, which was followed by a lecture and demonstration on Bandaging, Splinting, Lifting and Moving, and Spine-boarding. Makati City HEMS instructors focused on the practical concepts and exercises appropriate for the level of a First Aider, as they emphasized that moderate to complex medical emergencies should be facilitated by health professionals. Afterwards, the participants were given time to practice Bandaging, Splinting, Lifting and Moving, and Spine-boarding prior to the actual evaluation. During the evaluation, the participants were divided into three (3) groups, where they showcased their skills, which were then observed and evaluated by the Makati City HEMS trainers.
After the successful evaluation, the group had a simple ceremony where Makati City HEMS representatives were recognized for imparting invaluable effort, knowledge, and time for the training.
Dr. Geoffrey Felipe of Makati City HEMS reminded everyone to regularly practice and apply what they’ve learned from the four-day DOH BLS-SFA training, so they cannot forget the knowledge and skills they’ve applied, which enable them to properly execute Basic Life Support and Standard First Aid to anyone who is injured in an accident or an emergency.
RSEFI Programs and Initiatives Manager Hector Brizuela also gave a closing message where he encouraged the participants to be engaged and involved in RSEFI’s programs and initiatives on Disaster Resilience, where they can actively use and apply Basic Life Support and Standard First Aid knowledge and skills in helping capacitate and train communities. He also stressed the importance of being a certified First Aider in each of the participants’ respective business units and that their involvement should not end with the training but with continuous engagement and effort to help keep their offices and co-employees safe and secure.
RSE Foundation, being true to its vision “From response to resilience”, is passionately committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens and communities in the face of accidents, emergencies, hazards, and disasters.
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