The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), under the support of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRC), is supporting the government-led Ligtas Tigdas: Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), a nationwide effort to protect millions of Filipino children from measles and rubella, two highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases.

The campaign will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 runs from January 19 to February 13, 2026, covering Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), while Phase 2 will be implemented in Luzon and the Visayas in June 2026. During the first phase, the campaign aims to reach 800 communities and vaccinate over 50,000 children through 66 vaccination teams made up of PRC trained staff and volunteers.

As an auxiliary to the government in the humanitarian field, the Philippine Red Cross will mobilize volunteers and staff to support community engagement, health promotion, and coordination at vaccination sites, particularly in vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas. 

“Measles and rubella remain a serious threat to children, especially in communities with limited access to health services. Through Ligtas Tigdas, we are working with our partners to help ensure that no child is left unprotected. Vaccination saves lives, and this campaign is a vital step toward preventing avoidable illness and death,” said PRC Chairman & CEO Richard J. Gordon. 

“Our strength lies in our presence at the community level. By working alongside health workers and local governments, our volunteers help build trust and encourage parents to bring their children to vaccination sites. This is how we protect communities before outbreaks happen,” said PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.

The Ligtas Tigdas campaign targets children aged 6 to 59 months and aims to protect them from severe complications, hospitalization, and death caused by measles and rubella.

The Philippine Red Cross continues to support national and local efforts to strengthen public health, disaster preparedness, and community resilience, guided by its humanitarian mandate to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it is found. Individuals interested in similar campaigns are encouraged to visit the nearest PRC Chapter or contact the PRC Hotline 143 for more information. The Philippine Red Cross remains Always First, Always Ready, and Always There.