Philippine Red Cross | Humanitarian Organization in the Philippines

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is now ready to roll out the saliva RT-PCR testing after it completed and passed all the requirements, January 21, 2021.

This came after the Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 Laboratory Expert Panel gave a positive recommendation leading to the approval of the use of saliva as an alternative specimen for RT-PCR testing among PRC laboratories.

In a letter addressed to PRC Chairman & CEO Sen. Richard Gordon, Secretary of Health Francisco T. Duque III commended the humanitarian organization “for finishing the pilot implementation in a short period of time and complying with the initial recommendations provided by the Department.”

PRC has been in talks with DOH and the Food & Drugs Authority for the approval of the saliva test for public use. The health bureau recommended PRC to conduct a pilot launch of 1000 tested samples for a full review. On January 13, Chairman Gordon led the PRC saliva RT-PCR pilot testing joined by health frontliners and media practitioners.

”DOH commends your continued support and assistance to our country in assuring that all measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection are being explored and studied to keep the Filipino people safe from the threats of this infectious disease,” Duque further expressed his appreciation of PRC.

Saliva test: Providing an alternative

Red Cross explored saliva RT-PCR test as an alternative because it is non-invasive and less-stringent.

Unlike the RT-PCR swab test, there is no need for a specimen collector to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE). It also uses less equipment and reagents making it cheaper. The sample processing time is shorter compared to other tests as it runs only for three to four hours.

“The Philippine Red Cross brings RT-PCR saliva test to the country for the first time. While waiting for the vaccine, the saliva test could pave the way to test more students, healthcare workers, factory workers, company employees, and other essential workers to help stop the spread of the virus,” Chairman Gordon added.

A new breed of volunteers arises, the millennials, also known as Generation Y, in quake-hit areas in Mindanao.

The Philippine Red Cross gratefully recognizes the tireless efforts of these volunteers, the new breed of heroes behind PRC’s humanitarian service for millions of Filipinos, especially the most vulnerable.

After the series of earthquakes that hit several parts of Mindanao, hundreds of Red Cross volunteers were deployed to support the relief operations and other missions of PRC particularly in two of the hardest-hit areas, North Cotabato and Davao del Sur.

One of them was Jessa Mae Arellano, a 19-year old 1st year college student from Magpet, North Cotabato and a member of Red Cross Youth (RCY).

Jessa, a freshman student of Central Mindanao Colleges, has been serving as a volunteer of Philippine Red Cross – North Cotabato-Kidapawan Chapter since 2017, and when the series of earthquakes jolted Mindanao last month, she was deployed to hard-hit areas such as in Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City and the Municipality of Makilala.

“My cousin encouraged me to join the Red Cross Youth, masarap sa pakiramdam na marami kang natutulungan especially the most vulnerable. Simula nung sumali ako sa RCY na-enjoy ko ang humanitarian activities ng PRC,” Arellano said.

Repacking of relief goods, beneficiary card and relief distribution were among the primary responsibilities of Jessa in several evacuation centers in Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City and Makilala since October 29.

On November 22, 2019, Jessa developed a fever caused by urinary tract infection that made her incapable of performing her duties as a volunteer, in one of the temporary medical tents in Kidapawan City Hospital for 3 days.

When she was discharged she reaffirmed her commitment to alleviate human suffering and provide adequate assistance to the most vulnerable.

“Kahit nung nagkasakit ako, hindi nawawala yung pagpupursige ko na makatulong sa mga kababayan nating naapektuhan ng lindol dito sa North Cotabato. I will continue this humanitarian mission” Arellano added.

PRC also salutes another passionate volunteer, Geno Alexis Bornea, a Balikbayan from U.S., who pursues his passion for cooking amidst the relief operations in quake-hit areas in Mindanao.

Geno’s contribution to the mission of PRC come by way utilizing his cooking experience to prepare a variety of Filipino and other Asian dishes for the people housed in evacuation centers.

“I worked as a kitchen staff in several restaurants and fastfood chains in the U.S. and since then, I’ve been using this experience to continue my passion for cooking and shared my expertise by way of volunteering for different humanitarian missions of the Philippine Red Cross,” Bornea said.

Overcoming these challenges provides Geno the satisfaction of helping the most vulnerable.

The 25-year old volunteer utilizes the budget of PRC’s Social Welfare office wisely since they are catering to hundreds of families in evacuation centers with the help of other volunteers from Red Cross Youth.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Cavite Chapter held its 30th Biennial Convention on November 22, 2019 in Imus, Cavite with the theme “Thru the years…Philippine Red Cross Volunteers: The Lifeline of the Cavitenos.

PRC Cavite Chapter volunteers, like their counterparts throughout the country, are committed to alleviate human suffering and uplift human dignity. In fulfillment of this commitment, these volunteers give their time, effort and energy making them an integral part of PRC’s projects and responses whether these are for natural disasters or man-made emergency situations. Volunteers are a vital component of PRC.

“PRC salutes all the untiring volunteers who made a commitment in alleviating human suffering and uplifting one’s dignity. They are extremely important component of the organization”, said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

The 30th Biennial Convention of PRC-Cavite Chapter provided the occasion for the Chairman of its Board of Directors, Governor Gilbert Cesar Remulla to report on the chapter’s accomplishments, activities and financial performance. PRC-Cavite Chapter is one of the more reliable chapters in providing PRC’s services particularly in the areas of blood services and First Aid and Basic Life Support. Consistently ranked as one of the top 20 chapters, PRC- Cavite has been helping the most vulnerable since its establishment in August 1945.

PRC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla to Cavite Chapter: “Cavite is not only the land of the brave, but the home of the many selfless men and women like you and many more others who are working for our organization to really make it the partner of choice and really the lifeline of the people”.

The oath-taking of the newly-elected board of directors of the Cavite Chapter was led by PRC Governor Corazon Alma de Leon.