Philippine Red Cross

BOARD TOP NOTCHER CHINO SERRANO FROM PHILIPPINE RED CROSS PROVIDES TIPS FOR ASPIRING NUTRITIONIST-DIETICIANS

Written on October 25, 2021. Posted in Features. Leave a Comment

Last week, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) congratulated its own Mr. Chino Kairo Serrano for ranking first in the recent 2021 Nutritionist Dietician Licensure Exams. In an interview last October 22, 2021, Chino provides some tips for those who aspire to become nutritionist-dieticians.

First, he shared that one should always prioritize and treasure what was learned in college. “I believe that all you have to do is just always do your best. Prioritize the “learnings”, and then grades will follow,” he said. For him, being in college is the time where one should learn the fundamentals of your program or chosen career path. That is why he made the most out of it by learning everything he could but at the same time making sure to enjoy his college days. He mentioned that the real challenge for him was life after college as he shared that it is different once you are employed. “My current role here in PRC is my first real job. Learning doesn’t stop even while at work, so I do my best to learn as much as I can wherever I am,” he added.

Secondly, he believes in a strong sense of gratitude. “The most important tip I can provide is to trust in the plans of the Lord,” he emphasized. Sharing his thoughts about all the challenges he recently experienced, he said; “I still do not understand a lot of the things that happened to me this year. Aside from the many difficulties our country is facing due to the pandemic and our board exams which was moved to October instead of July, the most difficult was when my mother died three months ago due to COVID-19. Despite these, I didn’t stop me from believing that the Lord had plans for me.”

For Chino, topping the recent board exams was just a small feat. He continues to learn and evolve, “I remember that even during college, I experienced many drawbacks and turnarounds. Also, I didn’t even know that Nutrition was a program when I entered college.” Now, he believes that he has come to understand things more clearly, “It turns out that my plans were different from the Lord’s plans, but I would like to think that this is the materialization of His plans for that season in my life.”

Chino Kairo Serrano is an officer under the PRC Water Sanitation and Hygiene Unit (WASH) working on the Typhoon Response Operations with UNICEF and the WASH project under the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

RED CROSS NEVER STOPS IN ASSISTING MARING STRICKEN COMMUNITIES IN LA UNION

Written on October 25, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to assist La Union weeks after being hit by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Maring (Kompasu), causing serious flooding in the province.

Last October 15, 2021, the provincial government of La Union declared the province under a state of calamity by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 1413 due to devastation caused by STS Maring.

PRC, headed by PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon, ordered the immediate deployment of the Humanitarian Caravan to the province at the height of STS Maring. The humanitarian caravan included a 6×6 truck, a rescue boat, a command post, a rescue vehicle, a food truck. Food items were distributed to provide immediate relief to the victims. These included 350 kilos of rice, one hundred cans of sardines, one hundred cans of beef loaf, and one hundred cans of tuna.

STS Maring affected ten provinces, 127 municipalities, and 1,920 barangays, composed of 100,241 families or 400,401 individuals. PRC, through its chapters, assisted the affected barangays in rescue and relief operations, including in La Union, which was severely hit, damaging PHP369.3 million worth of agricultural products.

PRC provided the province of La Union with 1,839 bottles of water, 649 sets of clothing, 331 Kitchen sets, 331 Plastic Mats, 1000 Mosquito Nets, 1,000 Jerry Cans, and 1,000 blankets for 500 families.

PRC also provided hot meals to 6,226 individuals, psychosocial support, a child-friendly space to 167 individuals, and first aid management to 276 individual. Despite the ongoing pandemic, PRC also distributed 1,347 face masks, 550 hygiene kits, and conducted hygiene promotion for 610 individuals to ensure the safety of the beneficiaries.

“Hindi natin papabayaan ang mga taong nangangailangan ng tulong lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya. Kaya patuloy ang Philippine Red Cross sa pagtulong sa mga most vulnerable upang mabawasan ang kanilang paghihirap,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.

PRC relief operations are still ongoing as of October 25, 2021, to provide immediate assistance to affected families by STS Maring nationwide.

HELP IS ON THE WAY: PRC AIDS 1000 MARING PH AFFECTED FAMILIES IN LA UNION AND ILOCOS SUR

Written on October 24, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), through the leadership of its Chairman and CEO, continues to assist communities affected by tropical storm Maring (kompasu) through non-food items distribution.

PRC distributed items such as 1000 hygiene kits, 2,000 sleeping mats, 2,000 mosquito nets, 2,000 blankets, 2,000 10L jerry cans, 1000 kitchen kits, and 85 sacks of clothing. 500 families each from La Union and Ilocos Sur will receive the non-food items.

“Mahirap ang pinagdadaanan ng ating mga kababayan sa mga lugar ng La Union at Ilocos Sur na kung saan lagpas tao ang baha. Nagpadala na tayo noong kasagsagan ng humanitarian caravan upang makatulong sa clearing operations, hot meals distribution, at rescue operations. Makakaasa kayo na patuloy ang Philippine Red Cross sa pag tulong sa mga naapektuhan ni TS Maring,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen.Dick Gordon said.

The relief operations are part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) disaster relief emergency funds and PRC prepositioned goods to provide immediate assistance to affected families by typhoons, calamities, and disasters.

PRC CONTINUES ITS VACCINATION THROUGH ITS BAKUNA BUS

Written on October 23, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) vaccinated 919 individuals last October 23, 2021 through its bakuna centers nationwide.

PRC inoculated 407 individuals at the General Santos Mega vaccination site – veranza, 230 individuals in Camarines Sur, and 282 individuals at the Ever Gotesco mall in Quezon City. The vaccination is in coordination with the local government unit, only the PRC provided the manpower to operate.

“hindi pa tapos ang laban natin kontra COVID-19. Inaanyayahan ko ang lahat na magpabakuna dahil ito ang pinaka mabisang panlaban kontra sa virus. Libre lang ang magpabakuna at maililigtas natin hindi lamang ang ating sarili, pati na rin ang mahal natin sa buhay, ” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.

Despite the lowering of cases compared to last month’s new cases, Sen. Dick Gordon emphasized that it should not be a reason to lower your guard as this virus can easily spread and affect the people around you.

PRC AIDS CAGAYAN AFTER TROPICAL STORM MARING ONSLAUGHT

Written on October 21, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) provides assistance to the Cagayan province after being hit by severe tropical storm Maring (Kompasu) leaving PHP 46,000,000 in damages.

PRC Cagayan chapter will conduct psychological first aid to children and other nulnerable individuals in Brgy. Tabbac, Buguey, Cagayan. In addition, the chapter will also distribute ready-to-eat meals and face masks to 300 individuals.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang assistance ng Philippine Red Cross sa iba’t ibang sulok ng bansa na apektado ng TS Maring. We are always first, always ready, and always there where help is needed,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.

Red continues its humanitarian interventions in the province through Bakuna Bus vaccination, Hot Meals distribution, and Isolation facility to serve asymptomatic patients to help stop the spread of the virus.

PRC COTABATO MOLECULAR LABORATORY PASSED THE PROFICIENCY TEST

Written on October 21, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Cotabato City-Maguindanao molecular laboratory passed the efficiency test set by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine last October 01, 2021.

PRC, Cotabato City – Maguindanao is the 14th molecular laboratory in the country, capable of processing 2,000 tests per day. The new molecular laboratory is in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and will serve Maguindanao, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Davao City.

“Naghihintay na lamang tayo ng license to operate mula sa Department of Health upang masimula na ang pag-tetest natin sa mga kababayan natin. Sa ngayon ay 200 test per day lamang ang capacity ng Cotabato Regional and Medical Center at sa pamamagitan ng bagong Molecular Laboratory this will further hasten our COVID-19 response and can test up to 2,000 tests per day,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.

PRC tested a total of 4,682,077 as of October 20, 2021. Of over 281 molecular laboratories in the country, PRC has the biggest output of any organization representing 22% of the national testing output.

PRC Molecular Laboratories has an average of 360,000 tests to date compared with only 66,000 for government labs and 40,000 only for private labs because Red Cross molecular laboratories are fully automated, its output is five times more than the regular manual laboratories.

PRC also is ramping up vaccination efforts nationwide to get more people vaccinated as soon as possible through the Bakuna centers and PRC bakuna busses, having inoculated over 331,609 individuals.

PRC CONTINUES TO AID ILOCOS SUR AFTER BEING HIT BY TROPICAL STORM MARING

Written on October 20, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) distributed food items to 100 families from Brgy. Nagtupacan, Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur, affected by severe tropical storm Maring (international name Kompasu), which placed the province under a state of calamity.

PRC continues to assess the top two and three barangays greatly affected by Maring in coordination with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDDRMO) and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWD).

PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon immediately mobilized and deployed PRC personnel such as the Emergency Response Unit to support PRC’s intervention in the province during the 1st week of operations.

“I would like to commend the PRC’s staff and volunteers for their unending dedication to help the most vulnerable. Patuloy ang Red Cross sa pag hahatid ng pag-asa sa mga naapektuhan ng Sever Tropical Storm Maring,” Dick Gordon said.

PRC recently provided 600 hot meals and a disposable face mask at Brgy. Nanguneg West Narvacan.and Brgy. Sta Maria, public market.

Each food pack contains:

5 KG Rice

5 corned beef

5 beef loaf

5 sardines

5 noodles

12 sachets of coffee.

GORDON LED RED CROSS RESPONDS TO MARAWI’S NEEDS

Written on October 20, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon immediately mobilized the Red Cross for relief for evacuees after the forces lay siege to Marawi, late into the night of May 23, 2017.

PRC sets up a war room at the National Headquarters, together with its executives, While Sen. Dick Gordon contacted officials of Marawi, his Mindanao-based Senate staff, and Red Cross administrators for the area to get real-time updates of the situation.

In response, Chairman Gordon deployed a Humanitarian Caravan to provide clearing operations, water, and health services to the war-torn area.

Gordon flew into the city to assess the situation. He oversaw operations for first aid, medical tents, psychosocial support, and relief goods for women who were the most vulnerable demographic during the armed conflict.

As the war ensued, many of our noble servicemen were wounded or died. Once such was First Lieutenant Kent Fagyan who was deployed to defend the area, and together with two other colleagues, was injured in a close encounter. On July 25, 2017, at the Senate floor, an emotionally-touched Sen. Gordon saluted the 1Lt. Fagyan for his selfless duty to defend the republic.

By August 2018, Sen. Gordon toured the area with Lanao Del Sur Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. to assess the current situation. PRC also distributed PHP 10,000 cash assistance to the most vulnerable in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

A year later, ICRC President Peter Maurer joined Sen. Gordon for a follow-up visit to Marawi to further assess the additional needs of the community.

As a result, the PRC continues to assist Marawi’s residents, including the latest distribution during Ramadan of sacks of rice, Halal groceries, and other goods on May 25, 2021, with a grant of P25million from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.

“The Philippine Red Cross and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will help our brothers and sisters in Marawi to rise and restart their lives with healthy bodies and healthy minds. We are with you every step of the way,” Gordon said.

PRC CONTINUES TO AID MARING PH STRICKEN COMMUNITIES IN LA UNION

Written on October 18, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross continues to provide aid to the affected residents affected by Severe Tropical Storm Maring (Kompasu), which caused flooding to some parts of La Union.

PRC deployed the humanitarian caravan last October 18, 2021, through the directive of PRC Chairman and CEO Sen Dick Gordon to provide immediate assistance to the province of La Union.

The humanitarian caravan contains a 6×6 truck, rescue boat, command post, rescue vehicle, food truck, Food-items such as ten 35kg rice, one hundred pcs canned sardines, one hundred pcs beef loaf, and one hundred pcs of canned tuna.

PRC continues to conduct clearing operations in Luna La Union to assist other services like delivery of food packs and water. PRC’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) will also assess the Rimos ES and Sto Domingo for updates on their request for flushing activities.

“Help is still on the way! Ang Philippine Red cross ay tutulong hanggat kayo ay makatayo sa sarili niyong mga paa. From response up until recovery, the Red Cross will be of service to serve the most vulnerable,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.

PRC also provides ready-to-eat meals to 200 families, potable water to over 1,000 families, hygiene promotion, and provides a welfare desk to help the residents cope with their traumas due to the effects of Tropical Storm Maring (International name Kompasu).

RED CROSS STRENGTHEN ITS RELIEF RESPONSE THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT OF 5 ADDITIONAL FOOD TRUCKS

Written on October 17, 2021. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) procured five additional food trucks on top of its existing 23 food trucks to strengthen the response of food items in disaster-stricken communities. The Hot Meals on Wheels, a first of its kind in the country, is part of PRC’s quick response program serving the most vulnerable in times of disaster, calamities, conflict, and pandemic.

PRC has a total of 28 food trucks, stationed in key-strategic areas nationwide to hasten relief operations in times of disaster. The Hot Meals on Wheels program first started in 2005, through the vision and initiative of PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon to provide food to the most vulnerable.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa American Red Cross dahil 3 sa bagong food truck ay mula sa suporta ng ating partner national society. Itong bagong food truck ay magsisilbing pag-asa sa mga taong naapektuhan ng kalamidad. Sa pamamagitan ng bagong food truck ay mas lalo natin mapapabilis ang ating tulong sa mga tao,” Chairman Dick Gordon said.

The food truck has played a vital role in PRC’s emergency response thru the delivery of hot meals in evacuation centers. Each food truck is equipped with industrial size burners, and steamers, and other cooking equipment.

The hot meals on wheels fleet is just one of the developments seen as Gordon leads the Philippine Red Cross modernization program.

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Author: Joseph Esposo