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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.

“Chairman Gordon is my hero for all the work he has done since the start of the pandemic.” These are the words said by Sen. Pia Cayetano as he quoted his brother Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano during the Senate Session No. 25 last November 17,2021.

Sen. Dick Gordon, who is also the Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) , quickly defended the humanitarian organization after remarks on failed tests in PRC Subic Molecular Laboratory were brought up. According to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in a letter, “The RITM found no evidence of contamination for the 48 cases tested by the PRC Subic Laboratory and the results were found to be valid and reliable.”

PRC, the leading organization for COVID-19 testing, recently opened its 14th molecular laboratory to increase the testing capacity of PRC. To date, PRC has conducted 4,955,248 tests, the country’s 21% of the national testing output. 

” I would like to commend the Philippine Red Cross staff and volunteers for their dedication in battling COVID-19. The new molecular laboratory will hasten our covid-19 response,” Sen. Dick Gordon said. 

PRC continues to aid the most vulnerable through the implementation of Senm Gordon’s initiatives to alleviate human suffering. PRC is all out in its vaccination program through the deployment of PRC Bakuna Buses and Bakuna Centers to support the LGUs nationwide.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) celebrates World Toilet Day 2021 (WTD 2021) which aims to raise awareness of the 3.6 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation on November 19, 2021

WTD 2021 with the theme valuing toilets, is a campaign which draws attention to the fact that toilets and the sanitation systems are underfunded, poorly managed or neglected in many parts of the world with devastating consequences for health, economics, and the environment. 

PRC makes sure that all our facilities are appropriately designed, accessible to everyone and promote respect and dignity by providing wash facilities to the most vulnerable communities. 

“We envision that every Filipino will have access to dignified and safe toilets,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said. 

Philippine Red Cross strives  to support the most vulnerable groups by providing access to proper sanitation facilities through its Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH ) unit.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) encourages everyone to join the Million Volunteer Run 6 (MVR6) from January 20, 2021, to February 20, 2021. MVR 6, aims to raise funds and assist the humanitarian organization in its disaster responses, COVID-19 operations, and other humanitarian activities. 

MVR 6, in partnership with RunRio, is a virtual fun duathlon for cyclists and runners. It is a non-competitive event that allows participants to finish their selected distance within a certain period, at their own pace, time, and venue. 

MVR 6 will have different categories for the run or bike to suit the needs of the participants. The run will have 10Kkm, 21km, 50km, and 100km, while the Bike edition will have 25km, 100km, 500km, and 1000km, which will cater to the different target audiences. Registration fees cost PHP 585 for bike or run edition. However, both run and bike registration fee is at PHP 1,085. The registration includes a raffle ticket for the major and minor prizes, E-entitlements, and medals for the first 100 finishers.

“We need to start moving for humanity! Inihahandog ng Philippine Red Cross ang pang anim na Million Volunteer Run. Ang mga nakaraan na million volunteer run ay nakatulong sa iba’t ibang humanitarian services ng Red Cross gaya ng disaster response. By becoming our partner in this project, you empower our nation’s most vulnerable against the debilitating effects of disasters and COVID-19,”PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.

Join the Philippine Red Cross Million Volunteer Run 6, and together let us bike or run and make humanitarian services available to communities affected by the pandemic. To register, log on to https://www.runrio.com

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) hit one million Saliva RT-PCR tests on November 12, 2021, since its launching last January 25, 2021. PRC Saliva RT-PCR test is the first and only in the country.

Saliva RT-PCR test is a study by the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Campus (UIUC) and the University of the Philippines as an alternative to the Swab RT-PCR test. The saliva RT-PCR test is through the initiative of PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon to bring a faster, cheaper, and non-invasive alternative for the swab RT-PCR test.

PRC also innovates to make the Saliva RT-PCR test accessible to the public through its local chapters and partnerships with Malls such as SM, Robinsons, Araneta City, and Ayala Malls, making it to 124 collection sites nationwide.

PRC also partners with Angkas to make Saliva RT-PCR collection sites to make RT-PCR tests convenient for the clients who want to get tested in the comfort of their homes.

“Testing is the key. Sa pag abot natin nang one million saliva tests conducted, ay patuloy na magtetest ang Philippine Red Cross sa ating mga kababayan. Malapit na magbukas ang mga paaralan, kaya dapat mas ipagtibay natin ang pagtetest at pagbabakuna upang labanan ang COVID-19,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.

PRC is the leading organization with 4.8 million people tested. With the drive-thru collection sites nationwide, Home service saliva collection sites, and the opening of the 14th PRC molecular laboratory in the Philippines, PRC will soon reach the 5 million mark in the following weeks, gearing to be a significant help in the battle against COVID-19.

 “The saliva RT-PCR test with an accuracy of 98.23% remains to be a game-changer for our country. The reduced cost of testing (PHP 1,500), gives way to test more people such as students, employees, factory workers, healthcare workers, and other essential workers. Rest assured that PRC remains committed to its duty of finding ways to test more and keep Filipinos out of harm’s way,” Sen. Gordon said.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is taking no chances this Halloween break as it goes full blast in its UNDAS 2021 operations even if most local governments have closed cemeteries to avoid the build-up of crowds and lessen the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Every year, PRC deploys first aid stations and ambulance teams to cemeteries nationwide through its local chapters to provide emergency medical care to the public during the Undas break.

From October 25 to October 29, PRC Chapters nationwide has already provided emergency medical care to 464 individuals suffering from high blood pressure, minor wounds, dizziness, fainting, and lacerations.

“Nuong bago magpandemic, ang Red Cross ay laging naka-station sa mga sementeryo dahil sa pagdagsa ng mga tao. Hindi natin tinigil ang taunan pagbibigay ng serbisyo na yan tuwin Undas, kahit na may pandemya. Ang importante, may magibibgay ng paunang lunas kung sakaling kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ang emergency medical care,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon.

The Philippine Red Cross Safety Services, the department handling the nationwide first aid station and ambulance team, says that deployment this UNDAS 2021 will be until November 5. –

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) partners with Lifebuoy to reach 1,000,000 children and educate them on the importance of proper handwashing through its Global handwashing campaign which started on October 15, 2021.

Lifebuoy donated 4,500 pcs of 235 ML Hand sanitizers, 51,000 soaps, and 1,000 sanitizers to the PRC to be able to distribute it to the different chapters and conduct seminars on increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases.

“We need to equip ourselves with proper knowledge on hanwashing para tayo ay makaiwas sa sakit kagaya ng diarrhea, cough, colds, pneumonia, and skin rashes, at COVID-19. Mahalagang turuan natin ang kabataan ng sa gayon ay maturo nila ito sa next generation,”PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.

PRC will continue to educate the youth on proper handwashing through its local chapters, conduct seminars, and make PRC WASH facilities accessible in schools, markets, isolation facilities, and public areas.

As COVID-19 restrictions slowly ease up in the country, the Philippine Red Cross(PRC) reminds everyone not to be complacent and continue to follow all protocols especially in this season of Undas.

With the country’s observance of Undas beginning as early as October 31, the humanitarian organization advises the public to continue following the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) policies of the government most especially if one is not fully vaccinated yet.

“Kailangan patuloy tayong mag ingat lagi kahit na bakunado ka na upang mas maging protektado ang ating sarili, ang ating pamilya, at ang ating komunidad kontra COVID-19, emphasized Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon.

“Even if there is now an ease in restrictions, it would still be best to stay at home if possible this Undas especially if one is not vaccinated to avoid the large number of people who wish to spend the long weekend by visiting their loved ones’ graves in cemeteries or traveling out of town for a holiday,” added Gordon.

According to Gordon, it is important to be mindful of this pandemic to keep ourselves safe. He reminds the public that especially when you are out in public, traveling, or in a gathering, one should always take note of; hand hygiene, wearing face masks properly, regularly washing and/or disinfecting your hands especially before and after eating and using the toilet, respect for physical distancing, and the maintenance of respiratory etiquette.

He adds that at the same time, it is a must to arm yourself with information by always keeping yourself updated. Last but not least, it is very important to always be transparent, “Dapat lagi tayo maging tapat upang maging safe ang lahat. Mahalagang magsalita ng maayos sa iyong mga kasama lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya upang maayos na maipatupad ang lahat ng mga patakaran.”

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).

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) celebrates Global Handwashing Day (GHD) 2021, with the theme, our future is at hand, let’s move forward together. GHD is a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases.


PRC Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) unit spearheads the event to reach 1,000,000 children and educate them on the importance of proper handwashing. A webinar will be held on October 15, 2021. The webinar will cover relevant topics and key messages on proper hand hygiene along with influential speakers and subject-matter experts.

PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon once became a brand ambassador of Safeguard in 2008, to promote proper handwashing to children. This partnership led PRC to extend its operation through the WASH unit to educate of handwashing with soap so they can protect themselves against preventable diseases, during times of disasters, calamities, and especially the pandemic.

“Mahalagang maturuan natin ang kabataan ng proper handwashing dahil ito ay makakatulong upang maiwasan ang diseases kagaya ng diarrhea, cough, colds, pneumonia, and skin rashes. It is important to arm them with basic knowledge on how to protect themselves so that in the future these children will teach the future generation, and together, we can move forward,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.


PRC through its local chapters has constructed WASH facilities in schools and communities to make it accessible for the residents of proper handwashing. PRC also provided portable handwashing facilities and drumvatories in schools, markets, and isolation facilities as part of its COVID-19 response, as the study shows that proper handwashing can prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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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