PCSO general manager Mel Robles.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), under the leadership of General Manager Melquiades Robles, reaffirmed its commitment to public welfare on Tuesday as it partnered with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across all LRT-2 stations and trains.
The initiative marks a major milestone in commuter safety, making LRT-2 the first rail line in the country to be fully equipped with life-saving defibrillators. The project aims to ensure that passengers facing sudden cardiac arrest while on board the trains or within station premises can receive immediate and potentially life-saving intervention.
GM Robles and LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera jointly led the launch event, emphasizing the shared responsibility of government agencies in improving public health measures.
LRTA administrator Hernando Cabrera
These portable AED units—donated by PCSO—are now strategically located at every station and inside all LRT-2 trainsets. With thousands of commuters using the system daily, the accessibility of these devices dramatically enhances the rail line’s emergency response capability.
“PCSO is honored to support this life-saving initiative for our train commuters. Under the guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we are expanding our health assistance efforts beyond traditional charity programs,” said GM Robles, who previously served as LRTA Administrator. “By equipping every LRT-2 station and train with AEDs, we’re ensuring that help is readily available when every second counts.”
Robles emphasized that the project is part of PCSO’s broader mission to bring essential health services closer to the public, highlighting the agency’s strengthened commitment to lifesaving interventions and medical support in high-traffic public spaces.
Administrator Cabrera echoed the significance of the partnership. “We are grateful for PCSO’s support in making LRT-2 safer for our passengers. The immediate availability of defibrillators is crucial during cardiac emergencies. Every second counts, and these devices can help save lives.”
Cabrera added that LRTA remains committed to sustaining the program by ensuring that station personnel, nurses, guards, and frontline responders receive continuous training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), AED operation, and basic first aid.
The deployment of 30 AEDs forms part of a comprehensive partnership between PCSO and LRTA, formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement signed in September 2024. Under the agreement, PCSO will continue providing essential medical equipment to the rail line while utilizing select advertising spaces within LRT-2 stations and trains to promote October 30 as the National Day of Charity.
With this initiative, PCSO and LRTA underscore the importance of inter-agency collaboration in advancing public safety, demonstrating how shared commitment and coordinated action can directly enhance the daily lives of Filipino commuters.