The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chapters in General Santos City-Sarangani Province and Davao de Oro assisted local governments in evacuating residents affected by the Low Pressure Area (LPA). As of 8:00 am today, April 7, 2022, 350 persons from 31 families are sheltered in one evacuation center in Sarangani while 739 persons from 266 families are in 15 evacuation centers in Davao de Oro.
“Because of our volunteers and staff on the ground, our logistics, and our information technology, Red Cross is always first, always ready, and always there to help our people during calamities like this,” the PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said.
PRC WASAR (water search and rescue) team helped move 19 persons in Lagab, Compostela from their flooded barangay to the evacuation center. PRC volunteers and staff in Sarangani served hot meals to 350 evacuees from Kawas, Alabel through the PRC Hot Meals on Wheels. Trained staff also provided psychosocial first aid to adults and facilitated activities for children in a child-friendly space.
The LPA, which is located east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, remains less likely to develop into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours, according to the 11:00 pm PAGASA report on April 6.
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) volunteers and staff in Catbalogan City, Samar report an increasing number of diarrheal cases in the city. The incident started on April 1, 2022. It is attributed to contaminated water, according to PRC staff in Catbalogan.
PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon directed PRC volunteers and staff to coordinate with the local government unit for the appropriate response. “Nakahanda ang ating volunteers and staff na makipag-ugnayan at tumulong sa local government units sa mga ganitong health emergency,” Chairman Gordon said.
Based on the latest report from the PRC chapter in Catbalogan, there are now 124 cases, mostly children aged three to 15 years, from 16 barangays. Some were admitted to the Samar Provincial Hospital and Catbalogan Doctors Hospital.
PRC will continue monitoring the situation and provide support as needed.
True to its mantra of “volunteers + logistics + information technology = a Red Cross that is always first, always ready, always there,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon, acting on information provided by its volunteers in the field, immediately deployed volunteers, staff, and resources to assist those affected by the floods in Sarangani and Davao de Oro. “Ang Philippine Red Cross ay walang humpay at laging handang sumaklolo sa ating mga kababayan sa anumang kalamidad,” PRC Chairman Gordon said.
The PRC provided hot meals to 350 persons, as well as psychosocial support and child-friendly space in Barangay Kawas, municipality of Alabel, Sarangani on the evening of April 4. PRC also sent a water search and rescue (WASAR) team and equipment to Barangay Lagab, Compostela, Davao de Oro on April 6.
The flooding incidents, which were knee-deep in Sarangani and about three to four feet in Davao De Oro, were caused by continuous rains. PRC operations started as early as the evening of April 4 in Sarangani and 3:00 am on April 6 in Davao de Oro. PRC continues its response today, in coordination with local government units.
More than 30 families — approximately 160 persons — in nine barangays in Alabel are affected, according to early estimates. In Davao de Oro, three municipalities are affected: Compostela, Nabunturan, and Monkayo. PRC will continue monitoring conditions in these areas and provide further support as needed.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Bakuna Centers, in partnership with local governments, has administered more than 40,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters in Zamboanga City from 2021 to 2022, fully vaccinating 16,915 persons as of April 1, 2022.
This has been the contribution of the PRC to assist the city government of Zamboanga, which they announced on their Facebook page on April 3, saying that the city is now 90% fully vaccinated.
The Department of Tourism Office in the Zamboanga Peninsula has started promoting tourism in the region again, via its Facebook page, as the Philippines opened the country to fully vaccinated foreign tourists from all countries.
“Patuloy ang partnership ng Philippine Red Cross sa local government units para manatili tayong ligtas sa COVID-19,” the PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said. He also stressed the importance of getting fully vaccinated and getting booster shots.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with local governments, has administered more than 20,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters in Negros Occidental from 2021 to 2022, fully vaccinating 9,421 persons as of April 3, 2022. This milestone comes at a time when the province has fully lifted mass gathering restrictions in Sagay City, La Carlota City, and E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan, and San Enrique towns.
Last April 1, 2022, Negros Occidental Governor Bong Lacson issued an executive order placing Sagay City, La Carlota City, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan, and San Enrique under Alert Level 1. Under Alert Level 1, business establishments and outdoor activities are allowed 100% capacity, subject to the local government’s guidelines. The rest of the province remains under Alert Level 2.
“Patuloy na tutulong ang Philippine Red Cross sa ating gobyerno para labanan ang COVID-19,” PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said.
As it eases Covid-19 restrictions as of April 1, the Philippines has been opened to all nationalities of foreign tourists from all countries as long as they are fully vaccinated.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Health Caravan reached Barangay San Isidro in Galas, Quezon City on March 27, 2022, and was able to serve 381 patients who came for treatment during the day.
A tri-partnership between the PRC, local governments, and together with beauty expert Ricky Reyes, the caravan is part of the PRC’s efforts to bring health services directly to the people, especially now that COVID restrictions on mobility and mass gatherings have been lifted. The caravan traveled to Rizal, Quezon City, Pasig, and Marikina from March 21 to 27, 2022.
Residents of Barangay San Isidro availed themselves of health consultations and free health kits (189 patients), health and hygiene education (93 clients), first aid training (18 trainees), COVID-19 vaccinations (12 persons), and blood glucose testing (54 patients). Hot meals were also served to those present.
“Patuloy na makikipag-ugnayan ang Philippine Red Cross sa LGUs [local government units] para makarating ang serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon said.
“Kahit ilang buwan na ang nakalipas mula nang humagupit ang Super Typhoon Odette, hindi pa rin titigil and Philippine Red Cross sa pagpapadala ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan,” Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon said.
Since starting its response to Typhoon Odette in Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova town, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has now distributed more than one million liters of water to affected residents of Lapu-Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova. Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova were among those hardest hit by Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), which made landfall in the Philippines on December 16, 2021. Super Typhoon Odette affected 353 cities and municipalities, destroying or damaging more than one million houses in the Philippines.
PRC continues its assistance to Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova. As of March 31, 2022, it has conducted hygiene promotion activities among 65,966 individuals. It has also served hot meals to 3,166 persons and given jerry cans, mosquito nets, and tarpaulin to 451 families, among other forms of assistance.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, on the city’s Public Information Office Facebook page, said the city’s doors are now open to welcome everyone, both local and foreign tourists, as long as they are vaccinated.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Hot Meals on Wheels distributed hot meals to 233 evacuees in Coral na Munti Elementary School in Agoncillo, Batangas and to 330 evacuees in As-Is Elementary School, Laurel Batangas last March 28, 2022. Since the volcano erupted this year, PRC has distributed hot meals to 1,213 persons. PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, has directed PRC’s staff and volunteers to continue its response while the danger zone around Taal Volcano is on alert.
Two PRC emergency medical services, or ambulance, units are on standby, ready to assist in case of medical emergencies. The welfare desks and first aid stations in Coral na Munti Elementary School and As-Is Elementary School are also maintaining their posts. Last March 29, PRC staff attended the regional inter-agency meeting on issues and concerns relating to the 2022 national and local elections in areas under alert Level 3 due to the Taal Volcano eruption.
As of March 29, 788 families, or 2,832 individuals, have sought shelter in 17 Evacuation Centers (EC) located in different towns such as Laurel: 9 ECs with 364 families, or 1,277 individuals; Agoncillo: 5 ECs with 298 families, or 1,088 individuals; Alitagtag: one EC with 13 families, or 44 individuals; Cuenca: one EC with 4 families, or 17 individuals; San Luis: one EC with one family, or 4 individuals.
“Ang Red Cross staff at volunteers sa bawat chapter namin ay nakahanda para rumesponde sa ganitong mga insidente,” Chairman Gordon said. PRC also responded throughout the last Taal volcanic eruption in 2020.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with local governments, has administered more than 30,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters in Bohol from 2021 to 2022. It has fully vaccinated 5,501 persons as of March 28, 2022.
The vaccinations are part of the PRC’s COVID-19 response throughout the country. As of March 28, 2022, PRC has administered 1,115,101 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. It has fully vaccinated 361,790 persons. Other PRC vaccination sites in Visayas include Negros Occidental-Bacolod City, Capiz. Aklan, Bogo, and Roxas City.
The Department of Health reports on its website Dashboard that 63,992,620 complete doses have been administered in the whole country as of March 9, 2022. The figure represents 59% of the total population of the Philippines of 109,035,343 as of May 1, 2020.
“Ang Philippine Red Cross ay hindi tumitigil na labanan ang COVID-19,” PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said.
From January 1 to March 21, 2022 alone, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) National Blood Services has served more than 40,000 patients. It collected 36,086 units from 49,033 donors and dispensed 75,496 blood units for the same period.
Just how important is a blood bank to a country? If you or a loved one has ever needed a blood transfusion, you know how important it is. Blood transfusions save lives. According to the World Health Organization, providing safe and adequate blood should be an integral part of every country’s national health care policy and infrastructure.
The PRC’s National Blood Services is a vital part of this infrastructure. It is the PRC’s arm that delivers adequate, safe, and quality blood supply to the most vulnerable.
Through the leadership of its Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, the PRC now has 98 blood service facilities nationwide, making it the leading provider of blood and blood products in the country. The PRC continually promotes voluntary non-remunerated blood donations to maintain an adequate supply. “Para maging handa tayo sa anumang insidente, kailangang may sapat tayong suplay ng dugo,” Chairman Gordon said.
