THREE members of the House of Representatives filed a measure mandating the periodic training of public and private teachers and school personnel on first aid and basic life support.

House Bill 7917 or the proposed Basic Life Support Training for Teachers and School Personnel in Learning Institutions Act was filed by Representatives Lani Mercado-Revilla, Bryan Revilla and Ramon Jolo Revilla III.

They said that injuries and medical emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere, including in learning institutions where learners spend most of their waking hours.

“Once the learners are inside the premises of the school, they are placed under the supervision, authority and care of the school. It is therefore necessary that the school personnel and teachers are equipped with basic first aid and life support skills to enable them to properly respond should medical emergencies occur, until qualified medical personnel are dispatched on scene,” the lawmakers said in their explanatory note.

They said that teachers and school personnel must have the knowledge on how to properly respond to injuries and illnesses.

The measure also mandates the creators of an emergency guidebook and training program to serve as a standard reference for school personnel in effectively responding to medical emergencies.