The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office( PCSO) and the Light Rail Transit Authority( LRTA) on Tuesday formalized their life-saving partnership following the launching and installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at all LRT-2 stations.
The program was aimed at ensuring that LRTA is equipped to respond and assist passengers who might suffer sudden cardiac arrest while on board the LRT-2. PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles and LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera led this activity at Araneta Center- Cubao, marking LRT-2 as the first rail line in the country to have complete AED device across all stations and inside all operating trainsets.
These portable AEDs, donated by PCSO to LRTA, have been strategically placed at each station and inside the train. In the event of a cardiac emergency, passengers can easily seek immediate assistance from station personnel, nurses, and guards, ensuring a rapid response.
“PCSO is honored to support this life-saving initiative for our train commuters. By equipping every LRT-2 station and train with AEDs, we are creating a safer transit environment where timely responses can make a crucial difference,” said GM Robles, a former Administrator of LRTA.
Robles emphasized PCSO’s commitment to expanding health initiatives beyond traditional charitable programs. “Through these life-saving devices, we are bringing safety and welfare closer to our kababayans. This partnership demonstrates how government agencies can collaborate to create a significant impact on public health and safety.”
“By working together, we can significantly enhance passenger safety,” said LRTA Administrator Cabrera . “We are grateful for PCSO’s partnership in equipping LRT-2 with AEDs. Since thousands of passengers use LRT-2 daily, the presence of defibrillators at each station and inside our trains is crucial for quick responses to cardiac emergencies. Every second counts, and these devices can save lives.”
“The LRTA is dedicated to providing continuous training for our staff, conducting regular equipment checks, and coordination with emergency responders to ensure these devices are effectively utilized when needed,” Cabrera added.
The deployment of 30 AEDs is part of a broader partnership formalized by PCSO and LRTA in a Memorandum of Agreement signed in September 2024. Under this agreement, PCSO will provide essential medical equipment in exchange for advertising space at selected LRT-2 stations and trainsets, promoting October 30 as the annual National Day of Charity.
To support the deployment of AEDs, LRTA provides regular occupational first aid and basic life support training to equip frontline service personnel with critical skills, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), AED operation, and basic first aid interventions. This ensures that station personnel, nurses, and train guards can effectively assist passengers during cardiac emergencies.
PCSO and LRTA hope to create a safer, more responsive rail environment, ensuring that the welfare of every passenger is prioritized in every journey at LRT-2.