The Bacolod City Council has approved on first reading an ordinance requiring the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and mandatory staff training in malls, schools, barangay halls, and other high-traffic public places.
Authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, the measure aims to drastically strengthen emergency response and save lives from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), one of the city’s leading causes of death.
The “Bacolod City Public Access Defibrillation Ordinance of 2025” mandates AEDs in establishments like malls, supermarkets, barangay halls, government offices, and schools with 500 or more students, Distrito said in a press release on Thursday, Oct. 2 .
The City Health Office (CHO) and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) will identify other covered venues.
The ordinance also requires designated staff in these facilities to be trained in Basic Life Support (BLS) and proper AED use, with certifications needing renewal every two years.
The city will fund AEDs for government facilities, while private establishments must shoulder the cost.
To encourage immediate action, early adopters may receive tax incentives or permit rebates, and compliant facilities will be recognized as “Bacolod Heart-Safe.”
Non-compliance will result in fines, permit suspension, or facility closure.
“This ordinance is about saving lives and strengthening our city’s emergency response,” Distrito said.
“Every second matters in cardiac arrest, and with AEDs in place, Bacolod will be better prepared to respond quickly and effectively”, he said.
The measure will now undergo further deliberations and public consultations before its final approval.*