Twenty-eight scholars of the Department of Science & Technology participated in the Training on Emergency First Aid administered by the Philippine Red Cross – Negros Oriental Chapter on May 6.
The training is part of the Patriot Scholar Program initiative of the Science Education Institute of DOST.
“Having the basic knowledge and skills on First Aid is very important. Emergencies happen all the time; it is best to be prepared. You never know the next life you may be saving is your own,” said April Rose Ramirez of Red Cross.
The knowledge and skills gained by the scholars are the starting key points for them to assist persons in emergency situations until proper help arrives.
The scholars were selected to become ‘emergency response volunteers’ in their respective hometowns in times of disasters, as their way of giving back to the community.
“We never know when the people we love, or those who are in our immediate vicinity will be injured. I intend to put my knowledge and skills to use by administering first aid to victims during office and school hours, or if I am present at the scene of an accident,” said Ergielyn Luyas, a freshman DOST scholar taking up BSED Sciences at the Negros Oriental State University.
“Learning first aid can make a huge difference in one’s life. It helps you prepare for a variety of scenarios by giving you the confidence and expertise to handle them swiftly, appropriately, and efficiently,” said John Harvey Rosales, a freshman DOST scholar taking up BS Medical Technology at Silliman University.
DOST Negros Oriental Provincial S&T Director Atty. Gilbert Arbon challenged the DOST scholar participants to be true to their calling as Patriot Scholars. “To whom much is given, much is expected. May our DOST scholars be able to exceed the expectations of many, especially their respective schools and communities, now that they have learned important life-saving skills. In a country striving to be disaster-resilient, hopefully these trained scholars will be a welcome addition to the ranks of first responders,” said Atty. Arbon. (Marjorie Solon, Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST NegOr PR)