Philippine Red Cross

Philippine Red Cross assists stranded passengers of a tilted Cebu-bound ship

Written on November 15, 2023. Posted in News and Events, Uncategorized.

After receiving reports from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Operations Center, PRC Cagayan de Oro Chapter immediately responded to stranded passengers of a Cebu-bound ship that tilted due to strong winds and heavy waves shortly after leaving the port of CDO on November 12. The vessel was operated by Cokaliong Shipping Lines.

Soon after all the passengers safely disembarked from the ship at the port of CDO, the PRC’s Welfare Services Team arrived. Volunteers from PRC CDO Chapter distributed hot meals (arroz caldo) to 125 passengers and food packs to 129 passengers who were shaken by the incident. Seven (7) passengers received medical attention, one of whom had a sprained ankle, and two (2) passengers received psychological first aid from PRC’s first aid and welfare stations.

PRC Chairman Dick Gordon directed the deployment of PRC’s ambulance team in Macabalan Port to provide pre-hospital treatment to passengers who may need it.

PRC’s OpCen also coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard. Stranded passengers are currently housed in the PPA passenger amenity building, awaiting instructions regarding the vessel’s departure or clearance.

On October 7, the PRC dispatched two ambulance units to assist in the disembarkation of passengers from a cargo vessel still operated by Cokaliong Shipping Lines. The vessel was en route to Samar when a chemical leak on board took place.

PRC Chairman Gordon Urges Asia’s Agricultural Scientists to Partner with Red Cross in ‘Waging War’ Against Food Insecurity and Child Malnutrition

Written on November 14, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

“In this country, every day, I witness a disaster,” Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon remarked on the pressing issues of food insecurity and child malnutrition in the Philippines.

According to the 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), two percent of Filipino households are severely food insecure. This translates to over 500,000 households, as indicated by the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2020 Census of Population and Housing (CPH). UNICEF reports that every day, 95 children in the Philippines succumb to malnutrition.

Addressing agricultural scientists from Southeast Asia at the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences (ISSAAS) conference on November 8 in Manila, Gordon urged them to collaborate with humanitarian leaders, including himself and the government, to “wage a war” against food insecurity and child malnutrition and emphasize the urgency of addressing these issues.

“PRC will concentrate on tackling malnutrition among zero-to-five-year-old children, a critical phase in a child’s development. During the first two months, the PRC plans to distribute food to children aged zero to five and those from impoverished households using its fleet of food trucks. Simultaneously, the PRC will train mothers or guardians on how to prepare nutritious food independently, providing them with sustainable livelihoods.” Gordon explained.

Gordon shared some of the PRC’s ongoing interventions related to food security and nutrition, including hot meal distribution during disasters through PRC’s Hot Meals on Wheels, food distribution to impoverished communities through the Food Donation Law (which he authored), the establishment of vegetable and fruit farms nationwide, and the deployment of payloaders to clear farms inundated by mud after typhoons or flooding.

Ahead of the Curve: Philippine Red Cross helps Filipinos rise from the rubbles of Yolanda

Written on November 8, 2023. Posted in Features, Haiyan, News and Events.

Today, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) joins the country in commemorating the 10th year anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda, internationally known as Haiyan, which buried numerous parts of Luzon and Visayas in rubble along with livelihoods, homes, schools, belongings, and people.

“Gusto naming iparamdam sa mga kababayan natin na hindi sila nag-iisa,” is a statement that has driven PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon to intensify the organization’s ten-year relief, rescue, recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the region.

Apart from the provision of food, non-food items, and cash assistance to millions of individuals, the PRC built over 80,000 houses with toilets, with support from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, in Leyte, Ormoc City, Western and Eastern Samar, Cebu, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, and Palawan. The organization also built schools, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities for over 100 schools, 1,168 community-based WASH facilities, and vocational training centers and rehabilitated almost 100 health facilities.

These provisions were made while responding to Filipinos affected by the Zamboanga siege and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol, crises that struck the country months before Yolanda made landfall.

“How we simultaneously responded to these crises made the PRC a preferred partner of choice of donors and RCRC [Red Cross and Red Crescent] National Societies through the years because we can get the job done. We show the donors their contributions,” Gordon added.

Ten years after Yolanda, the PRC called on every Filipino to be “ahead of the curve.” “People should not build houses in the shoreline nor near any fault line. Practice the 4Ps (Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice),” said Gordon.

Gordon also advises relevant government agencies and humanitarian organizations to take into account livelihood opportunities and access to roads and public transportation when transferring families to a relocation site. “People will just return to danger zones if half-baked relief and recovery efforts are going to be provided,” he added.

The PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang, also shared that the PRC is now intensifying its climate-resilient development practices: “To reduce community vulnerability to disasters, we’ve embraced streamlined approaches like Early Warning Systems, Anticipatory Actions, Nature-based Solutions, Climate Change Education, Food Security, and Waste Management, among others.”

PH Red Cross vaccinates more than 1 Million children against Polio, 4 years after outbreak

Written on October 25, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

MANDALUYONG, PHILIPPINES — In 2019, the Philippines declared a polio outbreak after 19 years of being polio-free — the outbreak was contained 16 months later. Today, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) joins the world in observing “World Polio Day.”

From 2019 to 2023, the PRC provided polio vaccines to 1,088,601 children, protecting them from the highly infectious, disabling, and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. PRC’s vaccination efforts and 6,000 mobilized volunteers have reached 4,200 communities in four (4) years. These communities include densely populated regions in Metro Manila and geographically isolated areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon explained that the humanitarian organization has always been committed to strengthening and expanding its vaccination drive against Polio, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the immunization programs for this disease and placed children at higher risk of health complications.

He expressed his gratitude to the volunteers of PRC in their tireless efforts to save lives: “Umulan man o umaraw, ang mga volunteers nating doctor at nurses ay nagsasagawa ng vaccination campaign sa mga komunidad. Today, I want to thank them for using their skills to help countless Filipino children.”

PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang, meanwhile, noted that in 2023 alone, the PRC also immunized 57,000 children against other vaccine-preventable diseases (i.e., measles).

World Polio Day is an annual observance that highlights the important role of polio vaccination in saving the lives of every child. It is also an opportunity to commend the efforts of millions of frontliners in the world’s fight to eradicate polio.

Philippine Red Cross joins World Mental Health Day Celebration

Written on October 12, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) joined the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) Celebration on 10 October by organizing training events for staff and volunteers on Psychological First Aid (PFA) across its chapters nationwide. WMHD’s thrust is to raise awareness about mental health issues.

“We have trained staff and volunteers who provide psychosocial support to people affected by disasters. We are continually training more, so that people will have this needed support available in case a disaster strikes, especially because the Philippines is disaster-prone,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PFA involves humane, supportive and practical help to fellow human beings suffering serious crisis events. PFA is part of PRC’s package of services provided to people affected by fire, typhoons, earthquakes, armed conflict, and other crises. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PRC operated the national, toll-free COVID-19 Hotline 1158 dedicated to providing callers with PFA. In the aftermath of a crisis event, the PRC sets up child-friendly spaces where trained staff and volunteers facilitate activities for children designed as PFA.

“The PRC interventions in mental health aim to equip community-based volunteers to be able to provide support to people who experience a crisis. It aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and the services available,” Dr. Gwen Pang, secretary-general of the PRC, added.

A scientific brief published by WHO in March 2022 says that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people around the world.

Philippine Red Cross thanks Red Charity Gala organizer Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga

Written on October 12, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon and Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang expressed their gratitude to Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga, organizers of the Red Charity Gala, for choosing the PRC once again as one of the beneficiaries of the show’s proceeds. The Red Charity Gala is one of the most awaited annual fashion and fundraising events in the Philippines.

“We are always grateful for the support of the Red Charity Gala, which is an opportunity for its followers to appreciate fashion and donate to meaningful causes at the same time. Thank you to Tess and Kaye, for bringing together people who care not just for fashion but also for those who need help the most,” said Gordon.

The Red Charity Gala is named after the Red Cross, which is historically the primary beneficiary of the fashion and fundraising event. The 2023 Red Charity Gala was held at The Peninsula Manila, in Makati City, on 8 October 2023. Gordon and Pang represented the PRC in the event. This year’s gala was the 12th show. It featured celebrity fashion designer Ivarluski “Ivar” Aseron. The event was graced by the Philippines’ First Lady, Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos.

“We are thankful of course to the Red Charity Gala for supporting the Philippine Red Cross. They can be assured that the donation will reach our kababayans who are in situations of disasters and emergencies,” Pang added.

Chairman Gordon Welcomes Filipino Hero Ralph Montehermosa, Celebrating Six Years of Lifesaving on Ocean Viking

Written on October 5, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon got a courtesy call on 4 October from Ralph Montehermosa, the only Filipino rescuer with Ocean Viking, a cargo vessel conducting search and rescue activities in the central Mediterranean. The ship is chartered and operated by SOS MEDITERRANEE in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). During Mr. Montehermosa’s latest duty period on the ship, their fleet rescued around 1,000 migrants who experienced mishap at sea. He has been a rescuer with Ocean Viking for six years. Referred to by Chairman Gordon as a hero, Mr. Montehermosa says: “Masaya ako na nakaka-save ng buhay.”

Philippine Cancer Society honors PRC Chairman Gordon as “Man of Exemplary Influence”

Written on October 2, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) honored Philippine Red Cross Chairman/CEO Richard Gordon as a “Man of Exemplary Influence”, for his decades-long service to the country as a humanitarian volunteer and leader, and an advocate of legislation supporting humanitarian organizations.

At a ceremony last Sept. 27, PCS credited Gordon’s exemplary leadership that spanned decades of unwavering commitment to serve. Gordon, who was a past member of PCS’ Board of Trustees, explored a possible collaboration with PCS to help the most vulnerable, specifically cancer patients.

“I am deeply honored by this award from the Philippine Cancer Society. My parents instilled in me compassion for other people, and this award is a testament to how my parents brought me up – having the values of kusang loob, malasakit, and kapwa-tao,” Gordon said

“To our kababayans who are cancer patients, know that there are people who are ready to support you, and among them are the people at Philippine Cancer Society and its donors,” Gordon addressed cancer patients.

The PCS highlighted Gordon’s track record of public service. As Olongapo City Mayor and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman, Gordon led a joint Philippine-American civilian and military rescue effort in the collapsed Central College of the Philippines in Cabanatuan City and the rescue of thousands of college students stranded in Baguio City for reunification with their parents after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Central Luzon in July 1990. Food supplies were also airlifted to the affected populations. Gordon also co-led the rehabilitation operations of Central Luzon after the earthquake.

As Department of Tourism Secretary, he led the rescue of kidnapped tourists at Dos Palmas in 2001. As Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross from 2004 to present, he is at the helm of the country’s premier humanitarian organization, leading not just its disaster responses but also its other services, such as blood collection and dispensing and emergency medical services. As senator, Gordon was instrumental in the enactment of a law that requires media companies to allot more airtime to information on emergencies and responses.

PRC Chairman Gordon sees Subic as Asia’s cargo or humanitarian hub

Written on September 29, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon proposed to the aviation industry to create a humanitarian air system, as he pushed for Subic to be considered as a cargo or humanitarian hub in Asia.

Sharing his insights on strengthening the role of the aviation industry in humanitarian assistance at the 2023 Aviation Summit, Gordon said: “Speed is the name of the game. When people are suffering, needing all kinds of support, time is of the essence.”

Gordon elaborated that the Philippines can be the cargo or humanitarian hub for Asia to meet the logistical needs of a disaster response, including transporting aid workers. He recommended that Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) be used as a cargo and humanitarian hub not just for the Philippines but for other Asian countries. He believes that SBIA would be an ideal place to preposition goods and facilitate rapid deployment.

Gordon welcomed the aviation industry’s interest in learning how it can have a stronger role in humanitarian response as he shared that at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the PRC had to use chartered planes to have the Covid-19 testing equipment and reagents shipped to the Philippines from China. He added that the PRC had a hard time finding planes that would deliver generators, tents, and other equipment and supplies donated for the earthquake survivors in Türkiye and Syria through the PRC.

He said that SBIA is not operational at the moment, but it would be a wise decision to reuse it and recoup the country’s investment in building it.

The two-day inaugural summit was co-organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA), and the Department of Transportation (DoTR).

Philippine Red Cross leaders attend Southeast Asia RCRC meeting, forum in Cambodia

Written on September 27, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang, and three (3) Red Cross Youth leaders represented the PRC at the 20th South-East Asia RCRC Leaders Meeting on September 21 and 22 and 2nd Southeast Asia RCRC Youth Forum on September 17 to 20 at Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The South-East Asia RCRC Leaders Meeting allowed the leaders in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement to discuss and decide on issues of interest to the Movement in the region.

Dr. Pang discussed the PRC’s climate action interventions, as well as its challenges in reducing the vulnerability of communities in the Philippines to disasters. Her discussions include Early Warning System and Early Action Protocols, Anticipatory Actions, Nature-based Solutions, Climate Change Education, Food Security, and Waste Management and Circular Economy.

Meanwhile, RCY Lenice Joy Orocio from PRC Capiz Chapter and Camille Baring from PRC Rizal Chapter, with the assistance of PRC Governor Jay-ar Gallos, presented their solutions and prototypes to their identified challenges (i.e., different thematic issues: disaster resilience; climate change; youth engagement; Protection, Gender, and Inclusion; and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) within the Movement during the leaders’ meeting.

Along with other RCRC youth leaders from Southeast Asia, they formulated these solutions and prototypes during the Southeast Asia RCRC Youth Forum on the preceding days.

PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon has long recognized the vital role of youth in the decision-making process at all levels of management, governance, and service delivery. Hence, the PRC has numerous programs to strengthen youth participation within the organization.

“We provide a seat for the youth at our table. Youth involvement, be it at the global or community level, allows our Movement to create a forward-thinking culture. We have to capacitate them, hear their voices, and include them in every step,” said Chairman Gordon.

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