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Tag: Dick Gordon

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to extend vital health services to families affected by Super Typhoon Uwan, ensuring that communities remain protected against illness in evacuation centers across the country.

Volunteer doctors and nurses have already been deployed to provide medical consultations and distribute essential medicines to children, mothers, and the elderly. As of November 10 in the morning, through the efforts of three doctors and twenty-five nurses on the ground, 197 people have received health consultations and basic medicines—128 in Tarlac, 14 in Kalinga, and 55 in Masbate.

To prevent outbreaks of common post-disaster diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue, cough, and colds, PRC teams also conducted health and disease prevention sessions reaching 781 individuals in Apayao, Northern Samar, Tarlac, Laguna, Pampanga, Kalinga, Ilocos Sur, Capiz, and Masbate. 

In addition, 106 individuals from Tarlac, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Valenzuela received doxycycline prophylaxis as protection against leptospirosis.

 

“During disasters, the Philippine Red Cross makes sure people are kept out of harm’s way—whether it be from dangerous areas or from diseases that often follow after the storm. I thank our doctors, nurses, and volunteers who continue to care for the affected families and watch over their wellbeing in these trying times,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon.

These health activities are part of PRC’s ongoing response to Super Typhoon Uwan, reflecting its commitment to protect health, prevent disease, and uphold dignity among the most affected communities.

The Philippine Red Cross remains Always First, Always Ready, and Always There to help those in need. For any emergencies, contact the PRC Hotline #143.

MANDALUYONG, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) remains steadfast as it continues with its humanitarian operations as Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong) strengthens, with maximum sustained winds reaching 185 km/h and gustiness of up to 230 km/h as of November 9.

The typhoon has affected 23 provinces, prompting the opening of 435 evacuation centers across 22 PRC chapters, sheltering 16,288 families or 55,293 individuals as of November 9, 2025, 12:00pm. 

Reports from the PRC Operations Center (OpCen) indicate that flooding has already been reported in Capiz, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur. Furthermore, a pocket landslide in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental partially damaged two houses. 

Lifelines have also been disrupted — Catanduanes, Northern Samar, and Sorsogon are experiencing power outages, while Masbate, Ticao, and Burias Islands reported a power shutdown early this morning. As for communication networks, all networks in Catanduanes remain non-functional.

PRC teams on the ground continue to provide critical services. 

As of this morning, PRC Safety Services has monitored the vital signs of 114 individuals and provided medical assistance in Sorsogon. 

The Emergency Response Unit has assisted 109 people to evacuation centers, while Disaster Management Services distributed 40 shelter-strengthening kits and supported three chapters in evacuation and typhoon awareness activities. 

Meanwhile, PRC’s Welfare Services set up four welfare desks, provided a total of 263 psychological first aid sessions, and distributed 2,732 hot meals to affected communities.

A total of 463 volunteers have been mobilized, with food trucks, VERVs, and relief trucks deployed to priority areas including Aurora, Nueva Ecija, and Agusan del Norte.

“All our people are awake and at the ready. We’ll do what we can to help everyone we can reach. The PRC has seen this before and we have been preparing our response even during Tino,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon. 

In this time of unrest, the Philippine Red Cross urges the public to remain vigilant, monitor weather updates, and follow the advisories of local authorities. For emergencies and assistance, contact the PRC Hotline #143.

The Philippine Red Cross is Always First, Always Ready, and Always There to help people in need. 

Stay safe.

On November 5, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) warmly welcomed officials from the American Red Cross (AmRC) during a courtesy call to PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon and Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang at the PRC National Headquarters.

The visiting delegation from AmRC was composed of Jarrett Barrios, Senior Vice President for International Services and Service to the Armed Forces; Rebecca Streifler, Vice President for International Services and Service to the Armed Forces; and Achala Navaratne, Division Director for the Asia Pacific Division.

The meeting between the Philippine Red Cross and the American Red Cross reaffirms the strong and enduring partnership of sister-organizations and of having a shared commitment to strengthen disaster preparedness, resilience, and humanitarian response across communities in need.

Chairman Gordon expressed his gratitude to the American Red Cross for their unwavering support and partnership through the years. “Our work together proves that humanity knows no borders. Together, we can reach more people, save more lives, and build stronger, more resilient communities,” he said.

Aside from the AmRC delegates’ courtesy call with the Chairman Richard Gordon and Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, they were also given a tour of PRC’s Operation Center and had the opportunity to see Directors, Managers, and staff of different PRC services discussing future plans regarding Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) and Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong).

The PRC remains Always First, Always Ready, and Always There in the service of humanity. For any emergencies, please contact the PRC Hotline #143.

MANDALUYONG CITY — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is actively mobilizing its national headquarters, regional chapters, and volunteers in preparation for the approaching Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong), even as it continues ongoing relief and recovery operations for Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi).

According to the latest forecast (as of November 8), Typhoon Uwan has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last Friday night. The weather system currently packs maximum sustained winds of around 140 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts reaching up to 170 kilometers per hour. Forecasters warn that Uwan may rapidly intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours and could reach super typhoon strength by Sunday afternoon or evening. Landfall is predicted over the southern portion of Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora late Sunday or early Monday, potentially at or near peak intensity.

Heavy to torrential rains, destructive winds, and storm surges are expected to impact several provinces across Northern and Central Luzon, with possible effects extending to the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and parts of Mindanao. Residents in low-lying and coastal areas are advised to prepare for possible flooding and strong winds.

To prepare for the incoming typhoon, the PRC has initiated a full-scale readiness operation nationwide. 

PRC Chapters have been conducting inventories of rescue equipment, vehicles, and supplies, holding coordination and pre-disaster meetings, and contacting RC143 volunteers for standby deployment. 

Relief goods, rescue assets, and welfare trucks are being prepositioned in vulnerable provinces, while response teams are on alert for possible evacuation support and emergency assistance.

“Even as our teams continue to serve communities affected by Typhoon Tino, we are already mobilizing for Typhoon Uwan. Everyone in the Philippine Red Cross recognizes that helping humanity could be a challenging line of work, but we do it anyway because it’s the right thing to do,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon. 

In this time of unrest, the Philippine Red Cross urges the public to remain vigilant, monitor weather updates, and follow the advisories of local authorities. For emergencies and assistance, contact the PRC Hotline #143.

The Philippine Red Cross is Always First, Always Ready, and Always There to help people in need. 

Stay safe.

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon attended the Blessing Ceremony and Inauguration of the UP-PGH Department of Radiology, Division of Radiation Oncology’s new linear accelerators—the Vital Beam (LINAC 2) and Radixact System (LINAC 3)—held at the Philippine General Hospital on November 7, 2025.

Invited by UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi and Division Head of Radiation Oncology Dr. Edilberto Joaquin Fragante Jr., the event marked a significant advancement in radiation therapy and cancer care at the UP-Philippine General Hospital. The new linear accelerators are expected to enhance the precision and effectiveness of radiation therapy, allowing the hospital to serve more patients with advanced treatment options.

Representing the Philippine Red Cross, PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang and Assistant Secretary General and National Blood Services Director Dr. Christie Monina Nalupta joined Chairman Gordon in celebrating with medical professionals and hospital administrators for this incredible milestone in Philippine healthcare. Also present during the event were UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee and OIC-Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health Dr. Albert Francis Domingo.

During Dr. Gap Legaspi’s speech, he thanked PRC Chairman Richard Gordon for his push for a senate resolution for technologies like LINAC 2 and LINAC 3 to be present within the Philippine General Hospital back in his time as a senator. 

“When we were asked what needs of the university should be addressed, we mentioned all the academic ones, including the hospital. When asked about the priority, we mentioned the linear accelerator, and Senator Gordon asked ‘how many units do you need?’ I said we need four to service the catchment area of PGH. So on that day, there was a resolution to give one linear accelerator per year to PGH,” said Dr. Legaspi. 

When asked to deliver a surprise speech, Chairman Gordon commended UP-PGH’s continuous efforts to expand access to quality healthcare: “Let me congratulate the doctors, nurses, and medical staff of UP-PGH for your dedicated service and great leadership. This is a tremendous step to bringing modern medicine to our people.”

The Philippine Red Cross continues to stand alongside the medical community in promoting accessible and life-saving healthcare for all. Just recently, four PRC scholars from UP-College of Medicine successfully passed the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE). 

The PRC remains Always First, Always Ready, and Always There in the service of humanity. For any emergencies, contact the PRC Hotline #143.

PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA – Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon expressed gratitude to Italian food company Barilla and Marriott Hotel Manila for celebrating the World Pasta Day by donating 500 bowls of nutritious pasta and 500 banana loaves to students, some of whom are Red Cross Youth, at Villamor Air Base Elementary School last October 25, 2023.

“We’ve partnered with hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and food storage facilities to provide food for the most vulnerable, whether during times of disaster or in non-disaster situations. I am grateful to all our partners for helping PRC support our most vulnerable communities,” Gordon said.

Executive Chef Meik Brammer of Marriott said that donating food to the underprivileged through the PRC is among the hotel giant’s means of addressing food wastage. Marriott Hotel is a food donor of the PRC for over 12 years, serving freshly-cooked food to over 20,000 beneficiaries.

Food donations significantly contributed to addressing two of PRC’s key advocacies: food insecurity and child malnutrition, which Gordon reiterated during his discussion at the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences (ISSAAS) conference on November 8 in Manila.

Gordon, during his first term as a senator in 2009, authored the Republic Act No. 9803 (RA9803) or the Food Donation Act of 2009, which aims to address the country’s growing hunger problem and bring dignity back to the most vulnerable simultaneously. Under this law, donors are encouraged to donate food for charitable purposes and to reduce food wastage. Chairman Gordon explained that the donors give untouched food from buffet tables, not leftover food.

PRC’s food coordinator, Ms. Micot Juico, and PRC-Pasay City Chapter staff, Ms. Shara Mae Arceo, facilitated the food donation activity. 

As the country commemorates the historic Super Typhoon Haiyan this November, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) highlights the noteworthy accomplishments of its response, recovery, and resilience programs in the affected areas. One of the worst-hit provinces was Capiz. The Philippine Red Cross shared that overall, it provided PhP448.6 million in recovery interventions in the province.

“We are globally acknowledged as one of the leading Red Cross societies. In the aftermath of the Haiyan disaster, we demonstrated our capacity to gather support from numerous Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) societies globally and effectively distribute aid to various provinces. The Haiyan incident underscored the reputation of Red Cross as a dependable organization, solidifying its position as the preferred partner,” said Richard “Dick” Gordon, Chairman and CEO of the PRC.

Aside from the PRC, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the German Red Cross, the Hong Kong Red Cross, the Singapore Red Cross, and the Swiss Red Cross implemented the humanitarian assistance program in Capiz.

The RCRC Movement built 7,233 homes for displaced people, provided livelihood training and cash assistance to 6,945 households, built WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) facilities in 24 schools, reconstructed or constructed 12 health facilities, and built 25 classrooms.

Dr. Gwen Pang, Secretary-General of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), said that the PRC assumed control by allocating various national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to the impacted provinces and cities, implementing a coordinated intervention program.

Super Typhoon Haiyan affected over 16 million people in more than 600 municipalities and cities. It displaced more than 800,000 families. The PRC mounted a P4.9 billion recovery program, benefiting over 390,000 families across 10 provinces and cities.

MANDALUYONG, METRO MANILA –  Volunteers and staff of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continue to aid families affected by the low pressure area (LPA) and the shearline that brought incessant rains over the weekend in the eastern sections of Visayas and Luzon.

The PRC – Northern Samar Chapter served hot meals to 153 individuals and set up a welfare desk and first aid station at the Polangi Evacuation Center to provide physical and mental medical attention to evacuees. In Quezon Lucena, the PRC’s first aid station monitored the blood pressure of 38 evacuees, while the PRC’s welfare desk provided psychological first aid (PFA) and facilitated child-friendly spaces for over 100 individuals. 

Provision of food, water, PFA, and basic medical care constitute the standard response and rescue efforts of the PRC to reinstate evacuees’ access to essential necessities amid disruptions.

According to PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon, terrains and other areas in the affected regions are susceptible to landslides and mudslides due to the saturated soil caused by heavy rainfall. “Our payloaders are positioned for clearing operations, ensuring continuous assistance to geographically isolated areas,” he added. 

As of writing, there are 12 evacuation centers in Northern Samar, Western Samar, and Masbate housing 1,460 individuals.

In September 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the employment rate among the youth, aged 15 to 24 years old, was 86.9%. 

With that, 13.1% of Filipino youth were unemployed. Youth unemployment is higher than overall unemployment, which is 4.5%.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with TESDA, technical-vocational schools, and the Spanish Red Cross, is making strides in helping the youth and other vulnerable groups gain skills for employment or self-employment. The PRC project covers the tuition fees for the beneficiaries and also provides them with meals and transportation allowances. 

“We are committed to assisting the youth and other vulnerable groups among our kababayans in finding employment or engaging in self-employment,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon.

On 13 November 2023, 54 youth and members of other vulnerable groups from Manila, Caloocan, and Pasay received their certificates from TESDA for completing courses such as baking, housekeeping, and caregiving. The graduation ceremony was held at Manila Atelier of Food Arts and Hospitality, Inc. in UN Avenue, Ermita Manila. 

“The primary goal of PRC’s Employment Project is to enhance the connectedness of urban poor communities to better access economic opportunities,” explained the PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang.

After receiving reports from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Operations Center, PRC Cagayan de Oro Chapter immediately responded to stranded passengers of a Cebu-bound ship that tilted due to strong winds and heavy waves shortly after leaving the port of CDO on November 12. The vessel was operated by Cokaliong Shipping Lines. 

Soon after all the passengers safely disembarked from the ship at the port of CDO, the PRC’s Welfare Services Team arrived. Volunteers from PRC CDO Chapter distributed hot meals (arroz caldo) to 125 passengers and food packs to 129 passengers who were shaken by the incident. Seven (7) passengers received medical attention, one of whom had a sprained ankle, and two (2) passengers received psychological first aid from PRC’s first aid and welfare stations. 

PRC Chairman Dick Gordon directed the deployment of PRC’s ambulance team in Macabalan Port to provide pre-hospital treatment to passengers who may need it. 

PRC’s OpCen also coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard. Stranded passengers are currently housed in the PPA passenger amenity building, awaiting instructions regarding the vessel’s departure or clearance.

On October 7, the PRC dispatched two ambulance units to assist in the disembarkation of passengers from a cargo vessel still operated by Cokaliong Shipping Lines. The vessel was en route to Samar when a chemical leak on board took place.

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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