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Category: odettePH

Despite the surging cases of COVID-19 in the country,  Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to aid the areas greatly affected by Super Typhoon Odette. With over 7 million affected individuals, PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said that Typhoon Odette should not be a forgotten disaster, as more help is needed to restore the lifelines in the provinces. 

Describing the aftermath of Odette as “a slow, simpering, difficult challenge that will go on for the next several months,” the Philippine Red Cross(PRC) Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon, held a diplomatic meeting with the International  Community to appeal for more donations to fund PRC’s Typhoon Odettte Operations. 

The meeting was led by Chairman Gordon and was attended by the different ambassadors worldwide, partner national societies, and the PRC Board of Governors. 

Chairman explained the current situation on the ground as he detailed his visit Last January 6-7, 2022, to personally assess the damage brought by Typhoon Odette. 

As of writing, PRC has provided 76,748 hot meals, 3,728 food packs, over 3 million liters of clean and potable water was distributed,  PHP 3,500 cash assistance to 1,173 families, 2,547 families with temporary shelter, psychosocial support to 10,643 individuals, and hygiene promotion to 52,596 individuals, are among the many humanitarian interventions by PRC. 

During the Appeal, Chairman Gordon discussed the current activities of the Red Cross per province, categorized into priorities, based on the damage by Typhoon Odette. 

“The Red Cross is everywhere. We are the first to respond, we are always ready with all our assets, and we are there in every province affected even before the typhoon came,” Chairman Gordon said. 

Through the Emergency Appeal, the Philippine Red Cross will deliver urgent relief and longer-term recovery efforts to more vulnerable families that will alleviate human suffering.

 “Every bit helps, and hopefully we can come out as successful as we did in Haiyan wherein there were no integrity issues in all the typhoon operations and fundraising initiatives,” Gordon said.

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Water is the most important resource in or outside of a disaster.  Access to clean water for drinking, bathing, and food preparation is essential as a first salvo whenever a disaster strikes.  Improving access to water to Odette-devastated areas, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), led by Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon, continues to send its water tankers to different communities in Cebu.

“Every day, we continue to deploy our water tankers to disaster-affected communities to provide timely and efficient support,” said Gordon. 

Today, PRC Cebu Chapter deployed a tanker to distribute 5000 liters of water each to Sitio Laray and Sitio Socorro, in Kamputhaw, and Sitio Fatima and Brgy. Apas in Cebu City. 

Meanwhile, the PRC Lapu-Lapu Chapter also targets distributing water to 104 families at Pusok Elementary School Evacuation Center and 986 families at Sitio Sta. Maria Brgy. Pusok, Lapu-Lapu. Teams from the chapter have also set up a first aid station and a welfare desk to cater to those staying in the Evacuation Center in Brgy. Ibo, Pusok, and Brgy. Buaya. 

As of January 12, 2022, the PRC Cebu Chapter has distributed 614,750 liters of water while PRC Lapu-Lapu has distributed 65,000 liters of water to Odette-affected communities.

“One of the first responses we have in any dire situation is the provision of water.  With PRC’s fleet of water tankers and water facilities, we are able to service several communities at once,” adds Sen. Gordon.


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It is through Chairman Gordon’s vision to modernize that the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has become the leading organization in disaster and emergency response in the Philippines. When Sen. Dick Gordon assumed the position of Chairman and CEO of the prestigious humanitarian organization in 2004, PRC was able to improve its fleet of rescue vehicles to capacitate PRC in its endeavor to alleviate human suffering and uplift the dignity of the Filipino.

Chairman Gordon, with more than 53 years of experience as a volunteer of the Philippine Red Cross, has seen and rescued thousands of individuals during typhoons. Gordon knew that the acquisition of such assets is essential to save thousands of lives in times of disaster, calamity, and other humanitarian interventions.

From one semi-functioning ambulance in 2004, PRC now has 175 ambulances, the sea-going ship M/V Amazing Grace, 139 motorcycles, 34 rubber boats, seven payloaders, eight humvees, two amphibians, ten rescue vehicles, nineteen fire trucks, 22 water tankers, and 28 food trucks ready to be deployed.

Gordon’s modernization program started with a vision that later turned into a reality, making the Philippine Red Cross a moving force in the service of the nation.  It continues to serve Filipinos greatly affected by Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) despite the surging cases of COVID-19 in the country.

Days before Typhoon Odette entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PRC Chairman Dick Gordon instructed all PRC local chapters to mobilize rescue equipment in preparation for the typhoon’s landfall.  Staff members and volunteers readied Food trucks, water tankers, rescue boats, ambulances, and rescue vehicles  to assist families that were foreseen to be affected by Typhoon Odette.

After the onslaught of the typhoon, more than 700,000 families were affected in 11 regions. Guided by the PRC mandate that volunteers plus logistics plus information technology equals a Red Cross that is always first, always ready, and always there, Chairman Gordon immediately deployed PRC assets to restore a lifeline in the affected areas.

“At the height of the typhoon, we immediately deployed a humanitarian caravan consisting of necessary equipment such as food trucks, water tankers, payloaders, generator sets, VSAT, and other rescue vehicles to assist the affected families and alleviate their suffering,” said Sen. Dick Gordon.

Since water and food are essential in any calamity, Sen Gordon had PRC food trucks mobilized to provide ready-to-eat meals to 76,748 individuals. Water tankers, water treatment units, and water purification units were deployed to provide clean and potable water with a total of two million liters to date.  

PRC payloaders also played a vital role in clearing 2,468 cubic yards of debris to make way for more relief.  PRC also sent out Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) to restore communication lines thereby allowing 175 individuals to reconnect with their loved ones. 

“The PRC is the foremost organization in the provision of relief for the Filipino.  We are ready anytime to deploy, provide, and relieve,” ends Sen. Gordon.

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As the Philippine Red Cross(PRC), led by Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon, continues to address the devastating effects of Super Typhoon Odette, the country’s premier humanitarian organization continues its response operations today with the deployment of water tankers to devastated areas in Negros Oriental Of the total 217,974 liters given as of this date, 30,000 liters were distributed in an evacuation center in Bais.

“No matter the circumstances, we will continue what we do best – give hope and save lives,” reiterates Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon in a statement.

Support from the Red Cross does not flag, however. Red Cross volunteers packed 800 food items for distribution in partnership with the Iloilo Federation Fire Brigade, while relief items for 441 families are ready for delivery to to Brgy. Owacan, Jimalalud.

To date, more than 8,662 individuals in Negros Oriental have received humanitarian aid from the Red Cross and its partners.

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Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon will lead the multipurpose cash grant (MPCG) distribution to 877 individuals in Mandaue City and Cebu City. Non-food items will be distributed to Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) affected residents in Talisay City on January 06, 2022.

The MPCG will be in two different areas in Cebu. Chairman Gordon will first distribute PHP 3,500 cash assistance to 627 families at Mother Retrude Gym, Brgy. Jagobiao, Mandaue and will traverse to Brgy. Inayawan, Cebu City to distribute PHP 3,500 cash assistance to 250 families.
After the cash distribution, PRC will travel to Talisay Cebu to distribute relief items such as 500 sets of Hygiene Kits, 500 sets of jerry cans, 500 sets of sleeping kits, and 500 sets of tarpaulins.

At the height of Typhoon Odette, Chairman Gordon immediately deployed its payloader to assist in the clearing operations after Typhoon Odette wreaked havoc in the province, causing electrical posts and trees to block roads of debris. Water tankers are also utilized to provide clean and potable water to the affected residents.

PRC also set up a welfare desk to help stranded individuals to reconnect with their families. First aid stations are also put up to provide proper medical healthcare to the residents of Cebu.

“Sabay-sabay tayong babangon mula sa hagupit ni Bagyong Odette. Hatid ng Red Cross ay pag-asa sa mga labis na naapektuhan ng bagyo. Laging kaming narito upang tumulong para maibalik ang dignidad sa mga tao at makatulong na tumayo uli sa sarili nating mga paa,” Chairman Gordon said.

Through the leadership of Chairman Gordon, PRC is all-out in its Typhoon Odette Operation in Cebu. It cleared 315 cubic yards of debris using a payloader to make way for more relief. It then provided ready-to-eat meals to 5,169 individuals in Cebu through its Hot Meals on Wheels program, supported 71 individuals with psychosocial support, distributed 338,750 liters of water, and facilitated hygiene promotion sessions with 10,232 individuals.

To combat COVID-19, PRC conducted vaccination drives through its Bakuna Bus and Bakuna Buses and led the COVID-19 testing through establishing the Mandaue City molecular laboratory.

PRC also provided 8,671 houses in the province of Cebu.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon announced that he will not be able to attend the relief distribution scheduled for January 6, 2022, at Ubay, Bohol because of safety measures as the pilot tested positive for COVID-19 before departure. Last January 02, 2022, Chairman Gordon was not able to attend the cash distribution due to the inclement weather in the province.

Despite this, Gordon directed the PRC staff to push the relief distribution so that 315 of the most vulnerable families in the area can be given much-needed relief. Chairman Gordon and Bohol Governor Arthur Yap attended the event virtually. Each family received two tarpaulins and shelter tool kits to provide temporary shelters and help them recover from the damage brought by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).

“Gustong gusto ko pumunta sa Bohol upang makita ko ng personal at maassess ang iba pang pangangailangan ng mga naapektuhan upang matulungan sila makatayo sa sariling mga paa. Hindi na bago sa akin ang mga bagyo dahil sa 53 years ko bilang volunteer ay marami na akong disaster na nadaanan at kaya dinamihan natin ang kagamitan sa Red Cross para mabilis ang ating response. Sa pag hagupit ng bagyong Odette, agad natin ibinuhay ang mga lifeline sa lugar kagaya ng Clearing Operations sa daan, Pagtatayo ng VSAT upang ma restore ang communication, pagbibigay ng libreng hotmeals at malinis na tubig,” Chairman Gordon said.

The entire event was posted on Facebook Live through the PRC’s official FB page. The live broadcast was made possible through the use of the a very-small-aperture terminal or VSAT, a two-way satellite ground station with a dish antenna. Gordon personally directed the PRC team to bring a VSAT to Ubay to establish lifeline communications in the area. Ubay was the ground zero of super typhoon Odette in the Province of Bohol.

According to Chairman Gordon, three water tankers are deployed in the province of Bohol to provide clean and potable water, as water is one of the most basic necessities that the province needs. “Bago natin ilagay sa water tanker ay nililinis muna natin sa ating water filtration unit upang masigurado na ang tubig ay ligtas para sa mga residente ng Bohol,” Gordon added.

Gordon also said that PRC to conduct vaccination and testing in the area due to the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in the country. The Department of Health reported 10,775 new confirmed cases in the country.

“Hindi ko kayo papabayaan,” Gordon assured the public as Red Cross continues relief operations to Typhoon Odette-hit areas nationwide is still ongoing. “All out ang Red Cross sa buong bansa at naka-deploy ang aming kagamitan to alleviate human suffering and uplift the dignity of the people,” Gordon said.

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The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Humanitarian Caravan arrived at Roxas, Palawan, last January 02, 2022, to transport emergency relief supplies and other equipment and provide additional assistance to residents deeply affected by Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).

PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon deployed the 5th Humanitarian Caravan last December 27, 2021, to hasten relief operations in the province of Palawan. The Humanitarian Caravan contains the following: Water Tanker, Mobile Water Treatment Plant, Ambulance, Motorcycle, Food Truck, 10-wheeler Truck, 6-wheeler closed truck, 6-wheeler open truck, Land Cruiser, 1 unit VSAT, two units of Generators, Camping tents, Satellite Phone, 300 sets of Shelter Repair Kits, 1,000 pcs Jerry cans, 500 sets of Sleeping kit, 500 sets of Hygiene kit, 1,000 pcs of Tarpaulins, and 500 sets of Kitchen utensils. 

An hour after the Caravan arrived, the PRC water tanker immediately distributed 10,009 liters of clean and potable water to 1,860 individuals. Power lines in the area are still down, causing water pumps to be unworkable.

“Dumating na ang Humanitarian Caravan sa Palawan upang maghatid ng agarang tulong sa naapektuhan ng Bagyong Odette. Dala nito ay ang mga emergency supplies, rescue vehicles, water tankers, food truck, at mga non-food items. Bukod sa kagamitan, hatid dala rin nito ay pag-asa sa mga naapektuhan ng bagyo, at sa pamamagitan ng Red Cross ay muling makakabangon ang lahat,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.

PRC continues Typhoon Odette responses in Cebu, Southern Leyte, Palawan, Surigao del Norte, Negros Oriental, Siargao, and Bohol, truly abiding by its mantra to be always first, always ready, and always there.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) distributed hot meals to more than 700 evacuees in Bais Evacuation Center in Bais City, Negros Oriental, one of the hardest hit towns following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette, last January 02, 2022. 

“No matter what the circumstances are, we will always be the first responders whenever a disaster or emergency strikes as we continue with our mission to send hope, especially to the most vulnerable,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon.

Recently, the PRC Negros Oriental chapter has distributed food items to 158 individuals at Bala-as Manjuyod, hygiene promotion to 250 persons, and implemented water distribution through PRC water tankers in Bala-as Manjuyod and Tinaogan.

With the province currently under the State of Calamity, volunteers and staff also aim to provide 500 sets of food Items in the Mabinay Borders and deploy a water tanker in Bindoy to reach out to more affected barangays. 

Since December 18, 2021, PRC has been conducting typhoon Odette operations in Negros Oriental. Volunteers and staff assessed the damages, distributed water, and relief items, provided hot meals, conducted hygiene promotion sessions, prepared an ambulance with subsequent First Aid Stations, and set up a welfare desk to serve those affected by the recent super typhoon.

“We do, what must be done. Patapos na ang taon ngunit patuloy ang paghahatid natin ng pag-asa sa mga naapektuhan ng Bagyong Odette. All out ang Philippine Red Cross kasama ang ibat ibang staff at volunteers upang maibsan ang paghihirap ng mga tao,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen Dick Gordon said.

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Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon deployed the PRC payloaders to conduct clearing operations to make way for more relief efforts. To date, 800 cubic meters of debris have been cleared in the Municipality of Libagon, Southern Leyte.

PRC Southern Leyte Chapter started the year with more commitment of service to humanity through visiting four Barangays in Caubang, Son-ok 1 & 2 ang Manglit, Pintuyan. PRC Southern Leyte chapter also distributed 464 Shelter Tool Kits w/ Tarpaulins plus Psychosocial Support to the affected families. 

“Agad natin ipinadala ang mga payloaders upag magbigay daan sa mga tulong na darating pa sa lugar. Mahigit 800 cubic meters na ang na clear ng ating payloaders at patuloy ang ating clearing operation sa lugar. Magagamit din natin ang mga payloaders upang matulungan ang mga magsasaka na makapag tanim ulit,” Chairman Gordon said.

Through the leadership of Chairman Gordon, PRC was able to acquire seven payloaders to provide immediate assistance in clearing operations. The payloaders were commonly used after a disaster to clear roads of debris to make relief more accessible. Payloaders are also used to assist farmers in desilting  farmlands affected by different typhoons.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon sent out its Hot Meals On Wheels to provide ready-to-eat meals to 300 individuals, composed of children, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and senior citizens at Brgy. Sto Niño, Marikina City, on December 11, 2021.

PRC Marikina Chapter also provides proper hand hygiene to children. The chapter also observed health protocols to ensure the safety of all beneficiaries of the hot meals. To date, the PRC food truck has provided hot meals to 112,428 individuals affected by COVID-19.

 “Ang pagkain ay isa sa pinaka importanteng supporta na maiibigay natin sa mga naapektuhan ng bagyo, disasters, at armed conflict. Hindi na nila kailangan isipin kung paano ito lulutuin. Sinisugrado din ng Red Cross, kasama an gating mga volunteer chefs, volunteer cooks, at nutrionist na ang mga pagkain ay masustansya at ligtas para sa mga beneficiaries. Patuloy ang Red Cross sa pagbibigay assistance sa mga most vulnerable groups lalo na yung mga naapektuhan ng pandemya,” Chairman Gordon said.

PRC has 28 food trucks stationed in key-strategic areas nationwide to hasten relief operations in times of disaster. The Hot Meals on Wheels program started in 2005, is through the vision and initiative of Sen. Gordon to provide an immediate response to the most vulnerable in times of typhoons, disasters, conflicts, and other humanitarian emergencies.

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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.

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