Accidents and emergencies can happen unexpectedly.  When you or a loved one is stuck in a life-and-death situation, do you know who to call? 

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) provides round-the-clock ambulance services through its 178 ambulance units and a network of professionally trained Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams strategically stationed in the organization’s 102 chapters nationwide. 

Yes, they are ready to respond 24/7 wherever you are in the country. And yes, you can instantly get their help by simply dialing a toll-free number on your mobile phone or landline. 

Hotline 143 

Former senator and the current PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon reiterates the organization’s toll-free hotline 143 which the public may call in times of emergencies, including a need for an immediate ambulance service for patient conduction.

“You can help save a life by dialing the Red Cross 143 hotline because our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team is always ready to respond 24/7. It’s so easy to remember because 143 means ‘I love you’. PRC cares for you, and you are all important to us,” Gordon said. 

Mel Villacorta recalled how the Philippine Red Cross saved her husband’s life after he fell on the ground and hit his head one morning. 

“My husband was so sleepy while going to the bathroom. He fell and hit his head. It was bleeding and I had to call the Red Cross hotline 143 for an ambulance. The ambulance came in less than ten minutes. Unlike the other ambulance provider that we got last year that arrived 40 minutes after the incident.” 

An EMS responder, Ken Amistad shared his most unforgettable experience of working with the Red Cross. 

“Ang hindi ko po malilimutang response ay noong naisalba namin ang buhay ng isang pasyente matapos ang tatlong cycle ng CPR sa loob ng ambulansya ng Red Cross. Nakakatulong ako sa kapwa ng walang hinihintay na kapalit. Ito po ang pinakamasaya sa pagiging EMS responder,” Amistad mentioned. 

Cheaper yet of high-quality

The PRC ambulances include essential medical equipment for emergency response such as Basic Life Support (BLS) equipment, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), oxygen, trauma kits, stretchers, ventilators, and cardiac monitors. 

PRC’s rate for patient conduction or the process of safely transferring a patient from one location to another, starts at 5,0000 pesos. This is way cheaper from 5,500 to 20,000 pesos charge of other ambulance providers for the same service. 

If you have an event and you want to ensure the safety of attendees from start to finish, the PRC is offering an ambulance and a fully-equipped first aid station on standby for a starting price of only 3,0000 pesos. 

Be a Safe Card member

The PRC recently launched its membership program ‘Safe Card’ which entitles its members to blood supply, ambulance service, and accident-related hospitalization coverage, among others. You can get all these benefits for an annual membership fee of 1,200 pesos or 100 pesos per month. 

If you’re lucky enough to survive a year without being involved in an accident, your contribution will help the PRC sustain its numerous humanitarian missions for our most vulnerable kababayans. 

“By being a Safe Card member, you’re not just protecting yourself from unforeseen events, but you’re helping the Red Cross to continue its mission to save lives. Our chairman wants to add more ambulances in the future so we can serve and reach more people,” PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang stated. 

Frankly, there are lots of government or non-government ambulance providers out there. However, if you picture yourself or a loved one in a critical situation, where every second counts, calling 143 would be a great choice.