The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) has established a new chapter for Capiz and Aklan provinces.
“This milestone marks an even stronger push for accessible heart health advocacy for Filipinos, allowing us to reach more communities including those in most hard-to-access areas,” said PHA President Dr. Walid Amil.
As the PHA’s 15th provincial chapter, the PHA Capiz-Aklan Chapter has 13 cardiologists who previously served under PHA Western Visayas–Panay.
The newly-launched chapter is lead by its president Dr. Rommel C. Mosquete.
As the inaugural president, Mosquete is also cascading PHA’s advocacy by assuiring that Capiz and Aklan has the readiness to boost capacity for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in all public places, especially in tourist areas.
“Cardiovascular disease is the number one health menace in the Philippines and around the world. A cardiac arrest victim has to be revived within 4 to 6 minutes to prevent irreversible neurologic or brain damage. That is why knowledge of hands-only CPR among bystanders or a witness is crucial to save a life while waiting for the ambulance to arrive,” Mosquete emphasized.
This would be in line with PHA’s joint advocacy with the Department of Tourism (DOT) that was launched in 2016 in Boracay Island in Malay town of Aklan province.
Other key officers of PHA Capiz-Aklan Chapter are Doctors Claire P. Bolivar as vice president, Edher Lariosa as secretary, and Vim I. Samonte as treasurer.
The inaugural chapter board of directors are Doctors Micheal Vic Beluso, Donna Mae Ilio, Ma. Luisa Sarbiez, Jean R. Tenefrancia, Nelyn Luces Nava, Regina B. Regalado, Jackie Lyn Francisco, and Angelina B. So.
