Philippine Red Cross

On TS Agaton: Long-term plan needed to ensure people have choices – Gordon

Written on April 18, 2022. Posted in Features, News and Events.

In an interview with ABC Australia on Tropical Storm Agaton (international name: Megi) last April 13, 2022, via Skype, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO, Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon emphasized the need for a long-term plan to make sure people have the option to live in safe areas and not in dangerous ones, such as at the foot of mountains or near oceans. “There has to be a long-term plan, a big sit-down to ensure every province can make some alternatives for the people,” Chairman Gordon said.

This is the policy change Gordon wishes to see after the elections, he said when asked whether the campaign season has affected the Philippines’ assistance to areas hit by Agaton. He explained that the country will alleviate human suffering by making sure it prevents it by predicting the areas that are prone to disasters and adopting appropriate policies.

The Chairman has been an advocate of a national policy to move people living in dangerous areas to safer places. PRC built homes in a safer place for the survivors of the 2006 landslide in Barangay Guinsaugon, Saint Bernard town in Southern Leyte, which killed around 2,000 people. PRC also built or repaired homes for survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), which caused ocean surges as high as six meters and devastated the Eastern Visayas region in 2013. Overall, the PRC has built or repaired 80,000 homes for survivors of calamities in Eastern Visayas.

Chairman Gordon swore that the Red Cross will be helping populations affected by TS Agaton in the long run, as it usually does for survivors of calamities. “The Red Cross will be here for the long haul, as usual,” Chairman Gordon said. He mentioned that the PRC is still assisting survivors of Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), which made landfall on Christmas eve of 2021.

Gordon mentioned some preparedness measures that can be adopted, such as having whistles to call for help during calamities, identifying high-risk areas and moving people, and training people especially for landslides. He highlighted the importance of having pre-positioned people and logistics in the regions, such as sirens, flares, pickax, shovel, payloader, torch and other lighting devices that can be used even at night.

Philippine Red Cross intensifies TD Agaton operations in Baybay, other affected areas

Written on April 14, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

Under the direction of its Chairman and CEO, Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continued its response to TD Agaton in Baybay City and other severely affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao, providing search and rescue, emergency medical services, drinking water and hot meals, and psychosocial first aid. As of April 13, 2022, 108 volunteers and staff are still on the ground for PRC’s TD Agaton operations.

“It should not be a forgotten disaster. The magnitude of the calamity does not matter. Red Cross responds to people in emergencies everywhere,” Chairman Gordon said.

PRC first responders have rescued 25 individuals in Barangay Loctogan, Roxas City, Capiz from rising floodwaters. The teams have assisted 41 persons in Davao de Oro and Leyte to evacuate and 13 residents from Sitio Seguinon, Barangay Libertad, Ormoc City who were forced to evacuate.

The ambulance teams in General Santos City, Leyte, Davao De Oro, Sorsogon, Surigao Del Norte, and Passi City have served 535 individuals, who had their blood pressure taken. Five persons received emergency medical treatment. Six first-aid stations have been set up in Sorsogon, Surigao del Norte, and Negros Occidental. The ambulance teams deployed in Baybay City stand ready to transport patients from lower- to higher-level hospitals as needed.

The PRC teams have distributed hot meals to 7,204 individuals in General Santos City, Davao De Oro, Southern Leyte, Sorsogon, Ormoc City, Leyte, Hilongos, Negros Occidental, Passi City, Iloilo City, and Capiz. Ready-to-eat meals were distributed to 100 persons in Leyte. Bottled water were given to 197 individuals in Surigao del Norte and Leyte.

The PRC water tanker has distributed 620 liters of water in Leyte. Hand sanitizers were also given to 97 residents of Surigao del Norte.

The welfare teams have provided psychosocial first aid (PFA) to 440 adults in General Santos City, Leyte, and Passi City and child-friendly activities designed as PFA for 27 children in General Santos City. Welfare desks have been set up in Sorsogon and Surigao del Norte.

Local governments in Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Maguindanao have also tapped PRC volunteers and staff to help them distribute food packs, to 7,116 families and meals, to 664 persons.

PRC has deployed three rescue boats, three ambulance units, one water tanker, two mobile kitchens, two service vehicles, one pick-up truck, and one Land Cruiser.

Philippine Red Cross continues TD Agaton Operations

Written on April 13, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard “Dick” J. Gordon sent two humanitarian caravans to bring aid to families affected by Tropical Depression Agaton in Ajuy, Iloilo and Baybay City, Leyte today.

Starting from the Philippine Red Cross Iloilo Chapter base, the caravan to Ajuy consists of one PRC Hot Meals on Wheels, or a mobile kitchen; one pick-up truck; one Land Cruiser; one rescue boat; and 10 volunteers and staff.

The caravan bound for Baybay, which set off from the PRC chapter in Southern Leyte, is composed of a water tanker, an ambulance, a PRC Hot Meals on Wheels, and 10 volunteers and staff. The Southern Leyte Chapter is the third contingent PRC has sent to Baybay; the first two came from Leyte and Ormoc City Chapters.

As of 7:00 am today, PRC has distributed hot meals to 2,864 individuals in various locations affected by TD Agaton through its Hot Meals on Wheels program. Trained PRC staff have also provided psychosocial first aid (PFA) to 69 persons and child-friendly activities designed as PFA to 27 girls and boys. PRC emergency medical services personnel have served 413 persons, who had their blood pressure taken, and five, who received emergency medical treatment.

Some local government units have also tapped PRC volunteers and staff to assist them in distributing food packs, to 6,844 families, and meals, to 664 persons.

Philippine Red Cross deploys 20th Bakuna Bus

Written on April 8, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) now has 20 Bakuna buses, the latest of which is currently deployed in Pangasinan and is supported by the Coca-Cola Foundation.

The PRC Bakuna Bus is a bus whose interior is set up with facilities for administering vaccines, Covid-19 vaccines and supplies, and space for vaccinators. It is PRC’s way of bringing the vaccines and information to the people, assuaging their hesitations to get vaccinated.

“Patuloy ang ating laban sa Covid-19 sa pamamagitan ng bakuna at RT-PCR tests. Hindi titigil ang Red Cross na gawin ang dapat gawin upang marating ang herd immunity,” the PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said.

Also dubbed “Health on Wheels,” the Bakuna Bus will provide a mobile Covid-19 vaccination capability in Pangasinan, initially to the fourth district, specifically to the municipalities of San Fabian, Mangaldan, San Jacinto, and Rosales.

Philippine Red Cross inaugurates 100th Blood Service Facility

Written on April 8, 2022. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon led the inauguration of PRC Pangasinan-San Carlos City branch, complete with a blood service facility, PRC’s 100th such facility. The branch was built with support from San Carlos City Mayor Julier “Ayoy” Resuello and Pangasinan Third District Representative Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, whom Chairman Gordon recognized in his address. This collaboration was made possible through the efforts of Ma. Rachel J. Arenas, a member of the Philippine Red Cross Board of Governors.

Chairman Gordon emphasized that blood saves lives, and has always encouraged blood donations. As the number one advocate of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation in the country, Gordon explained that donating blood is a form of volunteerism.

Gordon recalls that the first blood service facility in the Philippines was that of the PRC. Today, PRC accounts for 51% of the country’s blood requirements. From January 1 to April 7, 2022, the PRC blood service facilities served 51,458 patients, dispensing 93,694 units of blood.

Gordon also recalled the long partnership of the PRC and the province of Pangasinan, both in responding to emergencies — such as the July 16, 1990 earthquake — and in preparing for disasters.

Philippine Red Cross assists evacuees from Sarangani and Davao de Oro flooding

Written on April 8, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross responds to Davao De Oro Flooding

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 responds to increasing diarrhea cases in Catbalogan City

Written on April 7, 2022. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

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.

Philippine Red Cross Responds to Flooding in Sarangani and Davao De Oro

Written on April 6, 2022. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

Philippine Red Cross responds to Mindano Flooding

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.

Philippine Red Cross Bakuna Buses Continue Vaccinations in Negros Occidental

Written on April 4, 2022. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

Philippine Red Cross Bakuna Bus Operations

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.

Philippine Red Cross Distributes More Than 1 Million Liters of Water to 2 Cebu Cities

Written on March 31, 2022. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

Philippine Red Cross gives clean water to TY Odette affected families

“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.

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