The Philippine Red Cross this week started training more than 200 community-based trainers who will train Red Cross 143 volunteers across the country to respond to emergencies and disasters. Municipal coordinators for Red Cross 143 in Philippine Red Cross’ 104 chapters nationwide will attend the 4-day training in three batches from May to June this year. Using blended learning, the 4-day webinar workshop includes lectures, quizzes, group workshops, an exam, fieldwork, and a trainee’s evaluation.
Red Cross 143 aims to promote a culture of self-help in communities by recruiting and preparing volunteers to respond to emergencies and disasters. The ultimate goal of the Red Cross 143 volunteer program is to capacitate communities to respond to emergencies and disasters on their own. It was first implemented during the Tropical Storm Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) Response in 2009.
The trainers’ training is in line with the premier humanitarian organization’s mantra of “Volunteers + Logistics + Information Technology = A Red Cross that is Always First, Always Ready, Always There.” Training will prepare communities in the wake of PAGASA’s warning that the rainy season and La Niña will bring higher amounts of rainfall in some areas of the country this year. The Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon also instructed current volunteers and staff to ensure that they are ready to be deployed, along with Philippine Red Cross’ response assets and logistics.
Those who are interested to be trained as Red Cross 143 volunteers may contact the Red Cross chapter nearest them.
Volunteers and staff of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Laguna and Quezon-Lucena chapters distributed hot meals through PRC’s Hot Meals on Wheels Program to 100 passengers affected by the fire at Mercraft 2, a vessel that caught fire in Real, Quezon yesterday, May 23, 2022.
The Red Cross Welfare Teams also provided psychosocial support to 30 individuals at the Real Port Terminal and at the Claro M. Recto District Hospital, where some passengers were transported for treatment. Twenty passengers received health kits. The vessel had a total of 124 passengers.
The Philippine Red Cross immediately deployed two ambulance units with trained emergency medical services personnel at the scene after receiving a report on the fire. A total of 16 Red Cross emergency response and relief personnel were deployed.
“Tunay na maaasahan ang Red Cross volunteers and staff sa iba’t ibang parte ng ating bansa sa pagresponde sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan kapag may emergency,” Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.
To continue its COVID-19 vaccination program and encourage more people to get vaccinated, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), through its Bakuna Bus, returned to Malabon City in Barangay Longos on May 20.
Over 100 patients, including senior citizens and immunocompromised, were able to receive their 1st booster shots. They were also advised to monitor their health conditions in preparation for their 2nd booster shots. The Department of Health issued an announcement on May 18 that senior citizens and the immunocompromised can join health workers in availing of the second booster shot.
“Nagbabalik ang Red Cross dito sa Malabon upang ipagpatuloy ang ating vaccination program. Ang ating Bakuna Bus ay handang sumuong sa mga liblib na lugar upang mas mahikayat natin ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna. Walang maiiwan sa ating laban kontra COVID-19,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said.
Providing a mobile COVID-19 vaccination program, the Bakuna Bus is strategically designed with facilities in compliance with the vaccine administration protocols, COVID-19 vaccines and other supplies, and space for volunteers and staff. With this interior, the PRC delivers a more efficient service to achieve herd immunity amid the pandemic, fulfilling its mandate to assist the government in its COVID-19 efforts.
To date, the PRC has administered 1,178,776 vaccination doses with 20 Bakuna Buses deployed in different areas in the Philippines.
On May 23, 2022, the Philippine Red Cross responded to Mercraft 2, a RORO vessel that caught fire in Real, Quezon around 5:00 AM. The vessel was en route from Polillo Island to Quezon. More than 120 passengers were affected.
Immediately upon receipt of the report, the Philippine Red Cross Operations Center dispatched two ambulance units, one from Laguna and one from Quezon. Philippine Red Cross Welfare Services Teams from Laguna and Quezon also visited the 22 passengers transported to the hospital. A total of 16 Red Cross personnel were deployed. Red Cross 143 volunteers in the area assisted with the response, including the provision of hot meals to the affected passengers.
Red Cross 143 aims to promote a culture of self-help in communities, schools, and workplaces by developing a network of Red Cross volunteers who will prepare for disasters and respond rapidly to emergencies.
“Sa oras ng sakuna, maaasahan ang Red Cross 143 volunteers para tumulong. Hinihikayat natin ang ating mga kababayan na sumali sa Red Cross 143 para makakuha ng pagsasanay na rumesponde sa pangangailangan ng kanilang kababayan kapag may emergency,” Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.
