Philippine Red Cross | Humanitarian Organization in the Philippines

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will be strengthening the capacity of the local chapter in Batanes, following the aftermath of Super Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon). 

The heavy rains and strong winds from the enhanced southwest monsoon and “Julian” led to some flooding on major roads, roadblocks from fallen trees, and hundreds of totally or partially damaged houses. 

PRC first aid teams conducted roving activities to give immediate first aid to injured individuals due to the typhoon’s aftermath.

Some individuals were treated by PRC’s first aid responders, and emergency response service (ERU) units assisted people to evacuation centers. As of 12 p.m. on October 3, five evacuation centers are open in Batanes with 94 families or 306 individuals. The families who evacuated included a month-old baby and senior citizens, who were assisted by the volunteers.

Assessment is ongoing by the chapter, in partnership with the local government, to ensure the needs of people in terms of shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, health, and welfare are met.

At present, the Batanes chapter only has a single motorcycle as its transportation asset. The national headquarters is planning to provide a pickup vehicle to the chapter, which can help the chapter mobilize volunteers and staff, as well as load essential items like relief packs to evacuation centers and other communities in-need. The PRC is also looking into potentially establishing its own building there in the future. 

“Batanes and the Babuyan Islands are always in the path of storms entering the country, so it’s vital for us to have a strong foothold there in order for our services to reach a wider range of people. We already have more than 300 RC143 volunteers in Batanes who are committed and eager to assist in times of crises. Our support for all our chapters is steadfast, and we want to do more so we can help more,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon. 

PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang added: “Even with limited resources, our volunteers and staff on the ground have helped communities safeguard their homes, provided first aid treatment, and distributed medication to those affected by the typhoon. We thank them for their dedication to saving lives. In return, we aim to bolster our Batanes chapter’s assets to improve their operational capacity and response efficiency.” 

Previously, the PRC delivered 1,280 CGI sheets to repair the roofs of three schools in the Calayan Islands, namely Babuyan Claro Integrated School, Dalupiri Elementary School, at Banua-Pilid Integrated School, after they were damaged by Typhoon Egay in August 2023. 

The PRC also sent relief packs, distributed clean water, as well provided shelter tool kits to help residents affected by the 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Batanes last July 2019. 

As of 12 p.m. today, the PRC has served hot meals to 589 individuals in evacuation centers in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Abra. Medicines have been distributed to 154 evacuees in Ilocos Norte, with doxycycline given to 102 people. 

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines —- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is preparing to mobilize its volunteers and deploy its assets as it braces for the Taal Volcano eruption’s impact on the nearby population on late Wednesday afternoon, October 2. 

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon convened an emergency meeting wherein he met with the service managers and department heads of the national headquarters, and the Batangas Chapter via virtual call to discuss the PRC’s plans of action. 

“We believe and follow in preparedness over panic. Right now, we are prepositioning our teams and assets to be ready on call should our assistance be required. Our local chapter is keeping us updated on the situation on the ground. It will be a long night for us, but rest assured, our eyes are on Batangas,” said Gordon. 

PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang also said that the chapters in neighbouring provinces have been alerted to help in potential rescue, response, and relief operations and augment Batangas chapter’s services. 

Among Batangas Chapter’s current assets are two ambulances, a water tanker, an onion tank, a hot meals van, a 6×6 truck, a rescue truck, and two rescue boats. They are also equipped with 400 basic personal protective equipment, and two water treatment units. The chapter’s branches in Lipa, Nasugbu, and Tanauan each also have their own ambulances.  

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Taal Volcano is at Alert Level 1. Under this alert level, phreatic explosions may be expected, along with volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and unhealthy fumes. 

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has provided hot meals and medicines to many people affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon) as part of its swift response to calamities, living up to the mantra “always first, always ready, always there.”

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has provided hot meals and medicines to many people affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon) as part of its swift response to calamities, living up to the mantra “always first, always ready, always there.”

Typhoon Julian, which developed into a super typhoon Tuesday morning, battered five provinces in Northern Luzon, affecting around 450 families or 1,600 individuals, according to reports from PRC’s local chapters.

As of 11 a.m. on October 1, 386 families or 1,537 volunteers are seeking temporary shelter in 24 evacuation centers in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Batanes, Abra, and Baguio City.

Being among the hardest hit, PRC’s Ilocos Norte Chapter immediately mobilized its staff to assist civilians seeking safety in evacuation centers. So far, a total of 194 displaced individuals in three evacuation centers in the province have been served hot meals.

Medicines have been distributed to 72 evacuees, while health lectures on leptospirosis and other diseases have been given to 25 participants. Welfare desks and first aid stations have also been established to address peoples’ concerns.

Volunteer responders from the PRC Batanes Chapter have also conducted first aid treatment to people wounded in the aftermath of the strong winds and floods.

“Since heavy rains are still expected in the coming days, flooding remains a threat. All our concerned chapters’ emergency response units (ERU) are on standby, and their respective RC143 volunteers have been mobilized to support operations on the ground,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

“Our chapters are also actively coordinating with their local governments to do rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) reports to ensure the safety of communities in their areas of responsibility,” added PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)’s 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Super Typhoon Julian has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), but may possibly re-enter PAR tomorrow, October 2.

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has activated its response and relief teams to assist communities affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Julian (internationally known as “Krathon”).

Upon the directive of PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon, PRC’s chapters in Northern Luzon are continuously preparing their assets and resources to ensure they are prepared for any emergency during the typhoon.

Since yesterday, September 29, RC143 volunteers from the Batanes Chapter have been mobilized to assist households in fortifying their houses against the heavy rains and strong winds, especially those whose homes are made from light materials. PRC staff in Cagayan and Ilocos Norte chapters have also conducted inventories of their blood supplies, first aid kits, as well as cleaned and stocked their food truck and ambulances.

Water, search, and rescue (WASAR) teams and emergency medical service (EMS) units have also been prepositioned and are on standby to assist stranded individuals in flooded areas.

As of 9 a.m. on September 30, the PRC’s Operations Center has monitored knee- to waist-level flooding in many parts of Laoag and Batac cities in Ilocos Norte, while light flooding and strong winds have been observed in Batanes.

Two evacuation centers were opened for families whose homes have been flooded in Ilocos Norte. 11 families or 87 individuals reportedly sought preemptive evacuation in four evacuation centers in Cagayan, while 31 families are currently in three evacuation centers in Batanes.

Today, PRC Chapters in Abra and Ilocos Norte will validate its record of evacuees, and provide hot meals to the people staying in some of the evacuation centers. The Batanes Chapter also plans to distribute information and educational materials in its evacuation centers.

All Chapters in the North are continuously monitoring their areas of responsibility and coordinating with their respective local governments for potential rescue and relief efforts.

“We are keeping a watchful eye on the developments of Typhoon Julian in the northern areas of Luzon. Rest assured, our local chapters are equipped with the necessary resources and manpower to efficiently assist during and after typhoons. Tuloy-tuloy man ang pagpasok ng mga bagyo sa ating bansa, tuloy-tuloy rin ang operasyon ng Red Cross,” said Gordon.

“You can rely on the Red Cross to be on the ground, ensuring that people are safe, have access to food and clean water, and are able to return to their homes to rebuild their lives,” remarked PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Julian may develop further into a super typhoon by tomorrow, October 1, and is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday, October 2.

As of 11 a.m., Batanes (and the Babuyan Islands), Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan were placed under the red rainfall warning of PAGASA, with serious flooding and landslides expected in those areas.

PASIG CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has once again teamed up with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the “Dugtong Buhay Movement” bloodletting program on September 24 at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City, collecting a total of 313 blood units from donors from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). 

The initiative aims to tap various government agencies in order to encourage government workers to donate blood, complementary to the daily blood donation campaign of the PRC. 

Among the honored guests at the program were DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Mr. Richard Bachmann, MMDA General Manager USec. Procopio Lipana,  PRC Medical Officer Dr. Gerald Valeriano, PRC Gov. Jenny Munar, and PCG Deputy CG7 Commander Raymond Torremonia. 

This blood drive follows the first “Dugo Ko, Buhay Mo” bloodletting drive of the DBM, PCG, and PRC that was held last August 15 at the PCG headquarters in Manila. The event aimed to collect blood from hundreds of donors from the PCG and MMDA. 

“Blood cannot be manufactured. Every drop of blood that is given to a patient comes from the selflessness and generosity of people like our donors from the PCG and MMDA. Joint programs such as these are proof that strong public-private sector partnerships will bring us closer to ensuring blood is available and accessible to every Filipino. We thank Secretary Pangandaman, PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gavan, and Chairman Artes for being our steadfast partners in this mission,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon. 

“We are grateful to the DBM for its staunch support of the Red Cross over the years, as well as the PCG and MMDA, especially in its commitment to help us reach our yearly blood donation targets. Having an adequate blood supply is essential since many people are in dire need of blood transfusions. We welcome the efforts of all partners and stakeholders in helping us reach this goal,” added PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang. 

“Red Cross is the only reliable organization that we can partner with in terms of getting support on the blood donation drive. The DBM is here to help and meet that 100 percent blood donation target,” remarked DBM Secretary Pangandaman. 

In 2023, the PRC collected 537,523 units of blood. From January to September 24, 2024, it has collected 425,769 blood units. Under the directive of Chairman Gordon, the PRC aims to provide 70 percent of the country’s much needed blood supply. 

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) received 70 units of 6.5KVa Honda Generator Sets from Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) on September 17, providing much needed life-saving equipment for the organization’s humanitarian operations. 

The turnover ceremony, held at the PRC Logistics and Multipurpose Center in Mandaluyong City, was graced by PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon, PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, and officials from HPI led by its President Ms. Sayaka Arai and Mr. Jomel Jerezo, vice president for Sales and Marketing. 

“Adequate power supplies are essential to ensure that our operations continue in times of disasters and other crises. These generators will give our Chapters’ rescue and response teams the confidence to do their job and save lives. We thank Honda Philippines for their donation and constant support to the Red Cross over the years. You have been invaluable partners to us in our mission to uphold human dignity and alleviate human suffering,” said Gordon. 

He added that PRC personnel will undergo training for the proper use and maintenance of the generator sets. 

Dr. Pang remarked, “Power and electricity are critical to our day-to-day activities, especially when disasters strike. The generators will help us maintain communication lines, continue our emergency response operations and coordinate relief efforts, strengthening the Red Cross as an organization that communities can rely on.” 

This is the first batch of generator sets turned over to the PRC with the second batch scheduled for next year. 

“We at Honda, are committed to supporting trustworthy institutions like the Philippine Red Cross, as we share the common value of saving lives of the Filipinos. Under the banner of the Honda ❤️ You campaign, we mobilize the spirit of giving back to the community by taking a proactive approach to improving the quality of life of every Filipinos,” said Ms. Arai. 

HPI has previously donated P2 million to the PRC during Typhoon Odette in December 2021, and has given 104 motorcycles in 2020 to augment the PRC’s fleet.