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Tag: Dick Gordon

The Philippine Red Cross Malabon Chapter distributed 500 loaves of bread to 350 families in Barangay Hulong Duhat, Malabon City who were affected by two weeks of flooding caused by high tide and damaged floodgates. The bread loaves were donated by Gardenia.

According to the PRC chapter office, the flood subsided on July 1 after the floodgates were fixed, but PRC gave away food to assist the residents whose incomes were adversely affected by the flooding.

Malabon, located in the northern part of the National Capital Region, has a low-lying, flat terrain that makes it a catch basin. It is part of the CAMANAVA area, or Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela, four cities that are commonly affected by interconnected rivers, among them the Tullahan and Navotas Rivers.

Mandaluyong City — In a luncheon meeting today, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon recognized the contribution of the Australian government to PRC, particularly its COVID-19 response operations, and honored Australia’s outgoing ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Steven J. Robinson.

In his speech, Gordon acknowledged Australia for its support in the timely establishment of the PRC molecular laboratory in Port Area, Manila, the largest of its kind in the Philippines. The laboratory was set up in June 2020, three months after the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and the Philippine government declared a community quarantine in the National Capital Region. 

Gordon noted that Australia was also one of the first to donate negative-pressure ambulance units to the PRC, which are designed for transporting patients with contagious diseases, such as COVID patients. Gordon also thanked the Australian embassy for donating a Hyundai HD65-based food truck, which is part of PRC’s Hot Meals on Wheels Program, one of PRC’s interventions in disaster-affected communities.

The objective of the friendship between Australia and the Philippines, according to Gordon, is “to make sure we succeed in our effort to alleviate human suffering.” “We got a friendship we will never forget,” he said.

In his response, Ambassador Robinson acknowledged the Australian Agency for International Development for making the accomplishments possible and described the camaraderie between the PRC and the Australian Embassy as “intense.”

Also present during the event were Her Excellency Monica van Daalen, ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands; Counselor Thanh Le of the Embassy of Australia; Mr. Julian Tollestrup, First Secretary at the New Zealand Embassy; Mr. Gopal Mukherjee of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Nathan Ramalingompillai of the German Red Cross; Paul Anthony Drossou of the Netherlands Red Cross; Megan Kate Lilley of the Finnish Red Cross; and PRC officials.

Philippine Red Cross celebrates National Disaster Resilience Month

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) joins the annual observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) this July with the theme “Sambayanang Pilipino, Nagkakaisa tungo sa Katatagan at Maunlad na Kinabukasan.”

Executive Order no. 29, s. 2017 designates July of each year as the NDRM throughout the country. For its part, the PRC supports the government in its efforts to build resilience covering the four thematic areas of disasters: disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and disaster rehabilitation and recovery.

“Ang Red Cross ay nakikiisa sa paggunita natin ng National Disaster Resilience Month ngayong buwan ng Hulyo. Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na laging maging handa sa panahon ng kalamidad,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said.

In addition, the PRC has prepared its assets that deliver quick services in anticipation of rescue and relief operations amid disasters: 35 Food trucks, 178 Ambulance units, 5 Rescue trucks, 40 Rescue boats, 2 Amphibians, 8 Payloaders, 5 Six-by-six trucks, 8 Humvees, 15 Fire trucks, 28 Water tankers, 4 Fire tanker trucks, 2 Military jeeps, and 17 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) hubs equipped with 30 water treatment units,  trained volunteers and staff, and hygiene promotion materials.

“Handa ang Red Cross na magbigay ng agarang tulong sa ating mga kabayayan sa panahon ng kalamidad. Bukod sa ating modernong operasyon, nariyan ang ating mga volunteers na handang magmalasakit sa kapwa ano mang oras,” Gordon added.

To know more about the activities of the PRC for the NDRM 2022, email the PRC Disaster Management Services at [email protected] or call 790-2300 local 614.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) emergency medical services (EMS) assisted 559 motorcycle riders who figured in accidents across the country this year, PRC data as of July 5, 2022 show. Eighteen percent of the incidents, or 98, happened in Metro Manila. 437 patients were transported to medical facilities and 110 were treated by PRC emergency medical technicians.

The safety of motorcycle riders is one of the advocacies of the PRC, under the leadership of its chairman and CEO, Richard J. Gordon. He reminds motorcycle riders to take extra care on the road, especially during the rainy season.

For the first semester of 2022, PRC’s EMS responded to 4,150 incidents involving 8,759 patients. 2,234 of these patients needed transport provided by PRC ambulances. 75% or 1,646 availed of the ambulance service for free.

The PRC has a total of 178 ambulance units in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. “Ang Red Cross ay laging nakatuon sa pag-modernize ng EMS para makapagsilbi sa ating mga kababayan sa kanilang medical emergency,” Chairman Gordon said.

All 14 Philippine Red Cross (PRC) molecular laboratories across the country received Certificates of Proficiency for 2022 from the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM). The proficiency tests, given annually by RITM to DOH-accredited molecular laboratories, are part of RITM’s quality assessment post-accreditation for the real-time detection of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes CoVID-19.

All 14 molecular laboratories of the PRC passed the proficiency tests, which consist of Nucleic Acid Extraction, PCR Master Mix Preparation, Real-Time RT-PCR, RT-PCR results interpretation, and RT-PCR results reporting. All 14 PRC laboratories needed only one take to meet the RITM requirements. 

The PRC’s molecular laboratories are located in (1) PRC National Blood Center, Mandaluyong City, (2) PRC Logistics and Multi-purpose Center, Mandaluyong City, (3) Port Area, Manila, (4) Ilagan City, Isabela, (5) Subic, Zambales, (6) Clark, Pampanga, (7) Batangas City, (8) Mandaue City, Cebu, (9) Passi City, Iloilo, (10) Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, (11) Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, (12) Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (13) Cotabato City-Maguindanao area, and (14) Zamboanga City.

The first laboratory started operation in April 2020. Since then, PRC has tested 5,605,651 swab and saliva samples for CoVID-19. “Ang Philippine Red Cross ang kauna-unahang nagkaroon ng automated RT-PCR tests sa Pilipinas. Araw-araw, sinisikap ng aming volunteers at staff na laging maging una, laging handa, at laging nandyan para sa ating mga kababayan sa panahon ng emergency at sakuna,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) assures the public that its blood supplies are adequate for Dengue patients as the Department of Health (DOH) reports recent increases in Dengue cases starting at the end of March 2022.

The DOH also reported that, from April 10 to May 7, 2022, most of the Dengue cases were from Region IX (908 cases), Region VII (881 cases), and Region III (593 cases). In response, the PRC conducts dengue awareness and prevention activities to help the DOH in its efforts to curb the continuous increase in the number of Dengue cases in the country.

The PRC also reminds the public of the need to always practice the 4-S campaign to prevent the Dengue virus: Search and destroy breeding places, Secure self-protection, Seek early consultation, and Support fogging/spraying in hotspot areas.

In addition, the PRC encourages healthy individuals to donate blood regularly through its 100 facilities nationwide as this act saves the lives of Dengue patients. “Makatitiyak ang ating mga kababayan na laging sapat ang supply ng dugo ng Red Cross para sa mga nangangailangan, lalo ngayong panahon ng tag-ulan at nariyan na naman ang banta ng Dengue sa atin,” Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said.

As of June 20, the PRC has served 700 blood units to 239 Dengue patients.

For immediate blood requests and other inquiries, contact the PRC Blood Call Center which may be reached nationwide by dialing 143.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard J. Gordon urged the public to get tested promptly for early detection and prevent transmission of Covid-19 as the Department of Health (DOH) reported an increasing number of cases. The DOH recorded 3,051 new cases for the period June 13-19, 2022, 82% higher than that recorded the previous week, June 6-12, 2022.

Chairman Gordon also encouraged the public to get vaccinated or receive a booster shot for added protection. Gordon assured the Filipinos that PRC is prepared for the surge, with its 14 operational molecular laboratories across the country. The PRC also continues to support the government’s vaccination efforts through its 17 Bakuna Buses, 26 Bakuna Centers, and 24 Bakuna Teams to the LGUs.

“Sa lahat ng panahon, ginagawa namin sa Red Cross ang lahat para maging laging una at laging handang tumugon sa panahon ng kalamidad at sakuna,” Gordon said.

To book a RT-PCR test, go to https://redcross.org.ph/. The PRC vaccination centers, Bakuna Buses, and Bakuna Teams offer free vaccinations across the country; walk-in clients are welcome from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has administered 11,263 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in Sulu province, through the PRC Mobile Bakuna Team, resulting in over 3,000 people fully inoculated and/or boosted. PRC Sulu Chapter Bakuna Team was deployed to support vaccination efforts at the Jolo Municipal Rural Health Unit, the Jolo Municipal Bakuna Center, and Barangay Bus-Bus Health Station.

Sulu is currently under Covid-19 alert level 2. Other places where PRC conducts vaccinations in Mindanao are Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City-Maguindanao, Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro, Davao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Marawi City, and Zamboanga City.

The vaccinations are part of the PRC’s Covid-19 response across the country. As of June 20, 2022, PRC has administered 1,199,452 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, including boosters, in the whole country, fully vaccinating 373,631 persons.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon constantly encourages Filipinos to get vaccinated or boosted. “Ang aming chapters sa Red Cross ay patuloy na nagbabakuna laban sa Covid-19 upang maging ligtas ang lahat sa banta nito” Chairman Gordon said.

On June 21, 2022, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Operations Center (OpCen) at National Headquarters received a fire alarm call at 3:53 PM regarding an ongoing fire at Purok 1, Barangay Andili, in Mawab, Davao de Oro. Immediately upon receipt of the call, OpCen had the local Davao PRC Chapter emergency personnel check on the situation while an ambulance unit arrived on site to provide medical assistance to victims in need of such.

More than 52 families with 162 individuals were affected by the fire that raged for more than five hours in a residential and commercial area, reaching the second alarm. It was allegedly caused by an unattended rice cooker. As the fire was finally put under control at 9pm, PRC planned deployment of its food trucks to provide hot meals prepared by PRC’s Welfare Services Team to those affected.

“Patuloy ang paghahatid ng pag-asa ng Red Cross sa mga labis na naapektuhan ng sunog kahit sa Davao de Oro. Laging handang tumulong ang PRC sa pangangailangan, alinsunod sa aming layunin na maging laging una, laging handa, at laging nandyan para sa ating mga kababayan,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

The local PRC Chapter deployed an ambulance with a 3 man team that assessed the situation at the evacuation Center where a First Aid station and Welfare desk with 2 trained personnel was set up. Six large tents were then installed at the Barangay Andili Gymnasium in Mawab as temporary shelter for the affected families. The PRC Activity Plan schedule is to continue to have a Welfare desk set-up, to conduct a Hygiene Promotion briefing with hygiene kits being distributed after and to conduct psychosocial support for all the families concerned.

PRC resources such as fire trucks, ambulance units, food trucks, and specially trained emergency personnel are part of its national rescue and relief teams serving emergency needs all over the country.

Gordon said, “Laging handang tumulong ang Philippine Red Cross sa mga fire emergencies kahit saan naganap. Agad nating ipinadala ang ating resources upang mabilis ang pag-rescue at tulong. Mag-iingat din tayo dahil marami and nangyayaring sunog sa ngayon kahit nag-umpisa na ang tag-ulan. Fire Safety begins at home – identify fire hazards and plan out evacuation measures in case of fire to uphold the safety of everyone.”

Philippine Red Cross Dengue Awareness Month

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) warned the public of dengue fever risk and gave advice on how it can be prevented as the country observes Dengue Awareness Month in June.

The PRC Health Services explained that dengue fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that causes a severe flu-like illness. It can progress into two life-threatening conditions: dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The virus that causes dengue is passed on to humans from animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The symptoms are sudden onset of high fever, which may last from 2 to 7 days; joint and muscle pain and pain behind the eyes; weakness; skin rashes; nose bleeding when fever starts to subside; abdominal pain; vomiting of coffee-colored matter; dark-colored stools; and difficulty of breathing.

PRC reminds the public of the 4 Ss to prevent dengue:

Search and Destroy: Cover water drums and pails; Replace water in flower vases once a week; Clean gutters of leaves and debris; Collect and dispose of all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles, and other items that can collect and hold water.

Self-Protection Measures: Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt; Use mosquito repellent every day.

Seek Early Consultation: Consult the doctors immediately if fever persists after 2 days and rashes appear.

Say Yes to Fogging when there is an impending outbreak or a hotspot.

The PRC Health Services gives the following advice: If medicine for fever will be given, do not give aspirin. Ensure a person suspected of having dengue is well hydrated. If fever or symptoms persist for 2 or more days, bring the patient to the nearest hospital.

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.

Address: 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550
Emergency Hotline: 143
Trunkline +63 2 8790 2300
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