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Day: October 28, 2022

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Secretary General Dr. Gwendolyn T. Pang welcomed representatives from the local government of Borongan City to the PRC National Headquarters today, October 27, 2022.

According to Borongan City Councilor Frich Baylon Uy, their delegation’s main objective for including PRC in their “Lakbay Aral,” or study visit, is to “benchmark” what Red Cross has that they can adopt in Borongan City. He also expressed appreciation for how the Red Cross places importance on cooperative relationships with local governments. Councilor Jay Anthony Baleña Ang expressed hope for a collaboration between PRC and the city government in programs that aim to save lives.

Composed of officers from the Mayor’s Office, the city council, the city planning office, the city disaster risk reduction and management office, the Philippine National Police, and the Bureau of Fire Protection, among others, the delegation from Borongan City, Eastern Samar engaged in discussions with Ms. Pang and other PRC officials on safety services, such as first aid and emergency medical services, disaster preparedness and response, and blood services, among other topics.

Dr. Pang, a veteran disaster manager with the Red Cross not just in the Philippines but also in the Asia region, reminded the learner-visitors that no single organization has all the capacities in disaster risk reduction and response. She elaborated that agencies have different mandates and capacities, and a successful response to a hazard event depends on how well these agencies work together. She explained that the Red Cross is auxiliary to the government in its humanitarian tasks. “Magtulungan tayo. Kailangan sama-sama tayo. Pag pinagsama, lumalabas ang lakas nating lahat,” said Dr. Pang.

PRC, through its Eastern Samar chapter, located in Borongan City, has a long history of collaboration with the local governments in Eastern Samar, most notable of them being PRC’s response to people affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), which was unprecedented in wind speed and effects.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable. Recently, these most vulnerable came in the form of hundreds of Filipinos repatriated from Sabah, Malaysia. PRC provided relief and psychosocial assistance to these returning countrymen, a total of 1,129 individuals.

“PRC, together with its staff and volunteers, will continue assisting our kababayans returning from Sabah, Malaysia,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

PRC mobilized 21 personnel and delivered hot meals, bottled water, and face masks to returnees. In addition to three welfare desks set up in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, PRC provided Child-friendly Activities (CFA) and Psychological Support Program (PSP) to 154 individuals to ensure that affected people will receive the necessary assistance to cope with the situation. Meanwhile, 138 returnees from Zamboanga City participated in hygiene promotion.

PRC Welfare Services, under the Restoring Family Links (RFL) program, provided free calls to 110 individuals in Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga to restore and maintain contact between family members and returnees.

PRC undertakes a wide range of programs and activities prepared to ensure the safe and comfortable return of people overseas seeking repatriation.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is preparing its medical assets and services to accommodate the anticipated increase of people in bus terminals, seaports, airports, highways, memorial parks, and selected thoroughfares following the easing of travel restrictions and reopening of cemeteries on All Saints Day and All Souls’ Day.

PRC will start its operation as early as Friday and will continue until Wednesday, 02 November to provide medical care to motorists and commuters visiting cities and provinces and ensure their safety.

“Nakahanda ang ating mga volunteers, staff, ambulances at first aid stations para samahan ang ating mga kababayan na uuwi at dadalawin ang kanilang mga yumaong mahal sa buhay. Naka standby rin ang ating mga chapters at relief operations sa pagdating ni bagyong Paeng,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

PRC will mobilize 1,104 trained first aid volunteers and 222 staff nationwide. Two hundred seventeen (217) first aid stations and 62 ambulances with first aid stations will be set up and positioned in 235 cemeteries nationwide as well as on major highways (Abra, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Northern Luzon Expressway, Sta Rosa Laguna, Davao Del Sur, Surigao Del Sur, Valenzuela Mcarthur Highway), bus stations, seaports, and airport for fast deployment in any untoward situation.

Meanwhile, PRC Chapters are on standby and prepared to provide relief and medical assistance following the report of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that tropical depression Paeng is projected to reach typhoon category by Saturday, 30 October.

PRC volunteers and staff are continuously reminding the public to strictly follow minimum public health standards on Covid-19, which entails wearing face masks, physical distancing, and proper washing of hands. Most cemeteries will require fully vaccinated individuals 12 years old and above.

PRC Safety Reminders:

• Use a seatbelt.

• Wear a helmet on a motorcycle.

• Drive at a safe speed and distance suitable for the conditions.

• Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Do not use a mobile phone while driving.

• Know and respect the highway code.

• Maintain the vehicle in good condition.

• Be visible as a pedestrian or a cyclist.

• Know how to react in case of a crash.

• Wear loose cotton shirts.

• Avoid bringing small children to a cemetery, if necessary, put a small piece of paper with their name and contact details in case they might get lost

• If under medication, don’t forget to bring your medicines

• Avoid bringing easily spoiled food

• Don’t forget to bring drinking water, fans, face towels, and umbrellas to avoid dehydration

• Remember “BLOW BAGETS” (Breaks, Lights, Oil, Water, Batteries, Air, Gas, Engine, Tires, Self)

For emergencies and any untoward incidents, contact PRC 24/7 Operations Center, dial 143 or 8790-23-00.

Following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Abra and contiguous provinces October 25 at 11:59 pm, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local governments to assess all buildings for possible damages.

“I would like to suggest to DPWH and the local governments that they check all the buildings, since they might cave in if their foundation was affected, to ensure that people will be safe.”

Gordon gave assurance that the foremost humanitarian organization in the country is ready to respond to people affected by the earthquake. PRC volunteers and staff are on the ground assessing the needs in coordination with local governments. He added that PRC is fine-tuning its volunteer system in the barangays so that cogent reports are transmitted to the PRC Operations Center right after the impact of any hazard event, to enable PRC to provide humanitarian assistance “just in time, on time, all the time.”

No casualties have been reported by the PRC chapters in Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, and Isabela as a result of the earthquake on October 25.

For emergencies, people may call Red Cross Hotline 143, or (02) 8790-2300.

Philippine Red Cross

Born officially in 1947, but with roots that traces back to the revolutionary days, the Philippine Red Cross has truly become the premier humanitarian organization in the country, committed to provide quality life-saving services that protect the life and dignity especially of indigent Filipinos in vulnerable situations.

Address: 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550
Emergency Hotline: 143
Trunkline +63 2 8790 2300
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