Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said that the humanitarian organization is preparing its Emergency Field Hospital and medical tents due to the threat of Omicron Variant.
At the height of COVID-19 Surge last April 2021, PRC opened a 100-bed capacity Emergency Field Hospital at the Lung Center of Philippines and medical tents in National Kidney Transplant Institute to serve as an emergency ward extension to cater to COVID-19 positive patients. To date, PRC has catered more than 8,744 patients for its covid-19 response.
“Dapat lagi tayong handa. Kaya ipinapaalala ko ang 4Ps. We must predict, plan, prepare and practice. Kahit na wala pa ang omicron variant sa ating bansa, inihahanda na natin ang ating emergency tents kung sakaling tumaas ang kaso ng COVID-19. Nagawa na natin ito noon at patuloy natin gagawin upang makatulong tayo sa most vulnerable at wala nang mamamatay sa labas ng ospital,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.
Currently, PRC has 45 medical tents deployed in 32 hospitals to help mild to moderate COVID-19 cases. PRC Chairman Gordon vows to continue its operation as long as people need additional healthcare facilities.
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon led the celebration of the International Volunteers Day (IVD) 2021 at the National Head Quarters attended by the pool of volunteers from the different PRC local chapters in Metro Manila on December 05, 2021.
The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (5 December), more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD), is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.
IVD is an annual celebration to recognize people worldwide who dedicate their precious time and efforts to volunteer service. PRC, together with its 2 million volunteers and partner national societies, is committed to assisting the most vulnerable communities.
PRC’s goal this year in celebration of IVD 2021 is to be unstoppable in alleviating human suffering and uplifting the dignity of the people. Under the leadership of Sen. Gordon, PRC has garnered thousands of volunteers to provide assistance during disasters, calamities, and to help fight COVID-19.
“Sa paggunita natin ngayong araw ng International Volunteers Day, ating bigyang-pugay ang magigiting na mga tao na isina puso at isinabuhay ang bolunterismo sa malaki o maliit mang paraan. Ang inyong kusang loob na tumulong ay malaking bagay dahil tayong mga humanitarian volunteers ay nakakapagbigay pag-asa sa mga most vulnerable groups sa ating bansa,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.
Sen. Dick Gordon, an active volunteer of the Red Cross for more than 48 years, was also awarded the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency’s Lifetime National Volunteer Achievement Award, the sole recipient of the award in 2015.
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon deployed the Hot Meals on Wheels to Brgy. 42-C pinagbuklod, Cavite City, to serve ready-to-eat meals to 150 individuals comprising of children, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women affected by the pandemic.
Recently, PRC procured additional 5 food trucks that will be prepositioned in the different local PRC chapters to provide immediate relief to people affected by disasters, calamities, and conflicts. To date, PRC has a total fleet of 28 food trucks.
“Tuloy tuloy pa rin ang ating mga Hot Meals on Wheels sa pagbibigay assistance sa mga most vulnerable groups na apektado ng COVID-19. Maliit lamang ito ngunit malaking tulong na rin dahil kahit papaano ay mabigyan sila ng makakain at hindi na nila kailangan lutuin. Sinisigurado ng PRC na ang lahat ng pagkain ay masustansya at ligtas para sa mga beneficiaries,” Sen. Gordon said.
PRC also deployed 20 manpower to vaccinate 1,117 individuals in its Bakuna center in SM Bacoor last December 03, 2021, in support of the national vaccination days which runs from November 29,2021 to December 03, 2021.
“We need to speed up our vaccination to achieve herd immunity before the new variant of concern reaches our country. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated in their nearest bakuna centers,” Gordon added.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) ramps up its vaccination drive to support the National Vaccination Days after the National Task Force Against COVID-19 extended the vaccination days until December 03, 2021.
PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon deployed its Bakuna Buses and Bakuna Centers, which vaccinated 8,155 individuals on December 02, 2021. PRC continues to speed up its vaccination to protect the unvaccinated due to the Omicron Variant causing concerns in other countries.
“There is cause for concern for the Omicron Variant but there is no need to panic. Naghahanda na kami sa Philippine Red Cross kung sakali makapasok ang bagong variant. Ngunit, ito ay ating maiiwasan kung tayo ay magpapatest, magpapabakuna, magpractice ng health protocols kagaya ng pagsusuot ng mask, paghugas ng kamay, at social distancing. Huwag na rin muna lumabas kung hindi kailangan. Let us protect ourselves and the people around us,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.
With the holiday season approaching, Sen. Gordon encourages everyone to get tested and utilize the free vaccines provided by the local government unit.
“Magpabakuna sa pinakamalapit na Bakuna Centers upang maprotektahan ang sarili kontra COVID-19. For all people who want to have a Christmas event and gathering, all must present a negative COVID-19 test result, especially if there are very young unvaccinated children, elderly, and those with comorbidities even if they are fully vaccinated,” Gordon added.
“Kailangan lahat ng papasok mula sa ibang bansa kahit galing green or red countries ay dapat mag quarantine at magpatest upang masiguradong madedetect natin agad ang bagong variant kapag nakapasok sa bansa,” Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.
PRC’s COVID-19 response team already began its preparation once the Omicron variant, a new variant of concern, enters the country. Chairman Gordon also pushes to ramp up the testing to ensure the viral spread is accurate and real-time low.
PRC recently surpassed the 5 million mark for COVID-19 RT-PCR tests, accounting for 20% of the country’s national testing output. According to Sen. Gordon, we must not stop and encourage everyone to get tested regularly, because it is through the RT-PCR that we detect the virus.
PRC also participated in the National Vaccination days to support the local government unit in vaccinating more people as soon as possible. Through the 3-day vaccination drive. PRC vaccinated more than 54,559 individuals through its 17 Bakuna Buses and 25 Bakuna Centers nationwide.
“We must get vaccinated to protect ourselves from COVID-19. Sa papalapit na pasko siguraduhin natin na tayo ay mag practice ng health protocols, tayo ay bakunado at nagpatest upang maiwasan ang hawaan at maprotektahan ang mahal natin sa buhay,” Gordon said.
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon encouraged everyone, especially the unvaccinated, to get their Jabs at the nearest Bakuna Centers as soon as possible due to the threat of Omicron Variant in the country.
Omicron Variant also known as B.1.1.529 is a new heavily mutated corona variant that was first detected on November 11, 2021 in Botswana. With over 30 mutations on its spike protein, it is now designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization.
PRC, through the directives of Sen. Dick Gordon, continues to vaccinate individuals in support of the National Vaccine Days from November 29, 2021 – December 01, 2021. PRC already vaccinated 32,638 through the 25 Bakuna Centers, 17 Bakuna Buses, and Bakuna Team Augmentation to support the local government units.
“We need to vaccinate more! Dapat lahat ng qualified magpabakuna ay magpabakuna na. Mayroong bagong variant na mabilis na kumakalat sa ibang bansa. Dapat handa tayo kung sakaling makapasok ito sa ating Bansa. Get vaccinated and protect yourselves and your loved ones,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.
Chairman Gordon also prepares PRC for possible new cases due to the threat of the Omicron variant. PRC already prepares its Emergency Field Hospital, Isolation Facilities, Oxygen tanks, Negative Pressure Ambulance, and Food Trucks that are ready for deployment to combat COVID-19.
PRC started its COVID-19 initiatives since the start of the pandemic and has been continuing in alleviating human suffering and uplifts the dignity of the most vulnerable who are greatly affected by the pandemic.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is the leading humanitarian organization in COVID-19 response in the country continues to provide hope, especially in this time of the pandemic. Through the leadership of PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon, PRC was able to implement various initiatives such as COVID-19 vaccination, Isolation Facilities, Emergency Field Hospital, Medical tents, and Hot Meals distribution, among others of PRC initiatives to alleviate human suffering and uplift the dignity of the people.
Due to the rising concern of the new omicron variant in other countries, Sen. Dick Gordon reiterates the importance of vaccination and regular testing to protect everyone against the deadly virus. In line with the National Vaccination Days, PRC deploys its Bakuna 17 Bakuna Bus and 25 Bakuna centers to support the different local government units in its vaccination program.
“We are at war against COVID-19. As part of the Philippine Red Cross, it is our duty and responsibility to be a part of the solution, in beating the invisible enemy. We are doing everything that we can from testing, isolation, emergency hospital, food pack, and cash distribution, and vaccination to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable greatly affected by the pandemic,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.
To date, PRC has conducted 4,985,840 RT-PCR tests through the 14 PRC molecular laboratories, Vaccinated 606,481 individuals through the 25 Bakuna Centers and 17 Bakuna Buses, served 4,411 patients in 6 Isolation facilities, served 56, 806 individuals through its 111 medical tents deployed in 62 hospitals, and distributed 110,215 hot meals through PRC’s 28 food trucks.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) partners with Upsilon Sigma Phi to conduct a vaccination program to 300 UP Manila Students, in preparation for the opening of face to face classes on November 27, 2021, from 8 AM – 5 PM
Upsilon Sigma Phi is the oldest Greek-letter fraternity and is the oldest student organization of the University of the Philippines, founded in 1918.
In line with the fraternity’s imperative of service, Upsilon Sigma Phi together with the Philippine Red Cross and UP Manila Office of Student affairs will vaccinate students to create awareness of the importance of vaccination and promote a safe return of face-to-face classes in the University.
PRC Chairman and CEO Sen Dick Gordon is also an Alumnus of Upsilon Sigma Phi, agreed to partner to hasten PRC’s COVID-19 response and vaccinates the students of UP Manila.
“I am very glad for this initiative by Upsilon Sigma Phi to promote a safe return of face-to-face classes in UP Manila. We must ensure that the University is a haven for students,” Sen Dick Gordon said.
PRC, through the initiative of Sen. Dick Gordon, continues to fight COVID-19 through the implementation of PRCs responses such as Isolation facilities, Molecular Lab Testing, Emergency Field Hospital, Hot Meals Distribution, among others which aim to alleviate human suffering and uplift the dignity of the people.
“With a fleet of 17 Bakuna Buses, we were able to vaccinate 2,509 individuals yesterday. It is a joint effort by the Red Cross, the local government unit, and our donors for the Bakuna Bus to hasten our COVID-19 response and protect our fellow Filipinos from COVID-19, ” Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen Dick Gordon said.
PRC continues the Bakuna Bus deployment and assists the different local governments in its vaccination program. The Bakuna Bus vaccinated 2,509 individuals in Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Laguna, Batangas, and Bogo City on November 25, 20211.
To date, PRC has already vaccinated 576, 557 through the 17 Bakuna Buses and 25 Bakuna Centers. This is part of Sen Gordon’s initiative to speed up the vaccination.
Sen. Dick Gordon reiterates that everyone should still observe health protocols despite the lowering of cases. PRC continues its Covid-19 initiatives such as Isolation facilities, Emergency Medical Tents, and COVID-19 testing.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) partners with Laguna Police Provincial Office to launch its COVID-19 vaccination program for persons deprived of liberty (PDL). PRC started to roll out its Bakuna Bus to begin the first day of vaccination and vaccinated 540 individuals in Binan City Police Station and 25 in San Pablo City police station on November 24, 2021.
PRC Laguna Chapter, headed by its Chapter Administrator Frank Gray Sorromero, targets the vaccination of PDLs in 24 Municipalities and 6 Cities in Laguna from November 24, 2021, to December 03, 2021.
“Tayo ay walang pinipili. Dapat masigurado natin na lahat ay protektado kontra COVID-19 at walang maiiwan ngayong pandemya,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.
The Bakuna Bus will head to Santa Cruz and Pila Municipal Police Station on November 25, 2021, to continue its vaccination for persons deprived of liberty. PRC Laguna Chapter thanks Laguna Police Provincial Office Acting Provincial Director PCOL Rogarth Bulalacao Campo for the partnership in vaccinating the most vulnerable groups.
