Philippine Red Cross | Humanitarian Organization in the Philippines

disaster management services philippines

philippine red cross

social welfare services philippines

blood donation philippines

volunteer services philippines

health and services philippines
red cross philippines
  • Home
  • Philippine Red Cross

Tag: Philippine Red Cross

In the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Northern Luzon on July 27, Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias “Jerry” Singson expressed his “sincerest appreciation” for Philippine Red Cross’s (PRC) response operations in the province.  

In a letter to PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon dated August 2, Gov. Singson, on behalf of the provincial government and his constituents, called the PRC’s humanitarian aid an “unselfish gesture.” He affirmed that the hot meals provided through PRC’s Hot Meals on Wheels, water distributed through PRC’s water tankers and water storage bladders, sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and tents alleviated the situation of those most severely affected by the major earthquake.

Gov. Singson added that the province is “humbled” to have the PRC in its support system “in these challenging times.” He assured Gordon that the PRC’s “acts of kindness largely benefited the people of Ilocos Sur” and “have provided great support” to the provincial government’s existing programs.

Gov. Singson concluded his letter by expressing gratitude to PRC on behalf of his constituents for “making a difference in the lives of our kakailian [kababayan in Ilocano].”

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) intensified its water distribution and hygiene promotion in communities with limited to no supply of clean water in earthquake-hit Abra and Ilocos Sur over the weekend.

“Walang humpay ang pagtulong ng ating mga volunteers at staff sa Red Cross upang maihatid lamang ang malinis na tubig na pangunahing pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan na tinamaan ng magnitude 7.0 na lindol at aftershocks nito,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said.

Last Saturday, August 6, a PRC water tanker distributed 19,000 liters of water in Santa, Ilocos Sur: 10,000 liters to 101 families, or 303 individuals, in Brgy. Calongbuyan, 4,000 liters to 42 families, or 204 individuals, in Brgy. Rancho, and 5,000 liters to 61 families, or 302 individuals, in Brgy. Casiber.

Simultaneously, another PRC water tanker distributed 18,000 liters of water in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur: 3,000 to 34 families, or 172 individuals, in Brgy. Pandayan and 15,000 to 149 families, or 592 individuals in Brgy. Villamar. Meanwhile, another PRC water tanker distributed 10,000 liters of water in Poblacion, Lagangilang and 5,000 in Brgy. South Calaba, Bangued.

Yesterday, August 7, the PRC Abra Chapter also distributed 10,000 liters of water to 89 families in Brgy. Budac, Tayum, 6,000 liters of waters to 67 families in Brgy. South Calaba, Bangued, and 6,000 L to 59 families in Brgy. North Calaba, Bangued.

As of August 7, the PRC has distributed 235,500 liters of water in Ilocos Sur and 319,965 liters of water in Abra.

“Narito pa rin ang Red Cross simula noong tumama ang malakas na lindol. Hindi natin iiwan ang ating mga kababayan hanggang matiyak natin na ang bawat apektadong tahanan ay may malinis na tubig at iba pang pangangailangan,” Chairman Gordon assured.

Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon, while paying his last respects to Former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) at Heritage Park, in Taguig, over the weekend, said FVR was a big believer in the Red Cross. Gordon attended the wake of the late president together with a delegation from the foremost humanitarian organization in the country and a representative from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Gordon said FVR was one of the greatest supporters of the Red Cross. He cited that FVR, being a military man and able to appreciate the value of blood in war zones, was a regular blood donor through the Red Cross. “Palaging nagbibigay ng dugo. Inaawat ko na [kasi] lagpas na siya ng 65 [years old]; sabi ko ‘ilalagay na lang namin sa museum ‘yang dugo ninyo’. Pero bigay pa rin nang bigay, because symbolic iyun eh.” The PRC sets up medical tents in war zones, such as in the Marawi siege in 2017.

Gordon also shared that FVR was with him in the Mt. Pinatubo response and the July 16, 1990 earthquake response in Cabanatuan. FVR and Gordon worked together in the rehabilitation of areas in Central Luzon, including SBMA and Clark, after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. “He was always enthusiastic on finding solutions on what we can do,” Gordon said of FVR.

Gordon expressed sadness over FVR’s passing, referring to him as one of the country’s “greatest statesmen.” He attested that FVR was a president who was hardworking and recalled his “Philippines 2000” vision of having more investors in the country in order to create more jobs. He and FVR had a long working relationship in government service: FVR was president when Gordon served as mayor of Olongapo City for a second term. While mayor of Olongapo, Gordon was appointed chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority by FVR.

Gordon lauded FVR’s academic excellence, as a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point. He said that FVR’s bearing was a good example to people who might become leaders of the Philippines. “Nakakalungkot, pero nakakatuwa na nagkaroon tayo ng katulad nya: We did not have enough of him, which is sad, but we are happy we had him at all, even for a while,” Gordon concluded.

From Day 1 of FVR’s wake, the PRC provided antigen tests to FVR’s family, friends, and mourners for free, to make sure everyone was safe. Two PRC ambulance teams were also deployed to Heritage Park to assist mourners in case there was a medical emergency. Gordon said these acts were the least PRC could do to honor FVR’s lifelong, committed support to the PRC.

As of August 2, 2022, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has distributed 201,427 liters of water, benefiting 2,212 families, or 5,571 persons, among other humanitarian aid, in Abra and Ilocos Sur, the provinces most affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Northern Luzon on July 27.

The PRC deployed five water tankers to North Luzon to reach the municipalities most in need of help. The water tankers supply the disaster-affected populations’ drinking water and household, sanitation and hygiene needs. They come with a filtration system, storage water bladders, and water taps. Sanitation engineers and trained personnel manage the drawing of water from local water sources.

As of date, the PRC has 28 water tankers and 17 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) hubs equipped with 30 water treatment units, trained volunteers and staff, and hygiene promotion materials. “Ang tubig ay isa sa pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga tao matapos ang impact ng lindol, dahil maaaring masira ang water sources. Ang Red Cross ay may mga water tanker sa aming regional hubs na nakahandang ipadala sa mga lugar na naapektuhan ng lindol,” Chairman Gordon said.

A usual consequence of an earthquake is damage to water distribution systems. Water districts or water distribution companies may not be able to meet the demand for water in the aftermath of an earthquake. PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon foresaw this need and initiated the humanitarian organization’s acquisition of water tankers to enable it to continually provide clean and safe water to the most vulnerable during disasters and emergencies.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon underscored the need for enough blood supply as the premier humanitarian organization responded to people in need of emergency medical care in earthquake-hit Abra. The PRC sufficiently met the blood supply needs of casualties immediately after the impact of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Northern Luzon on July 27.

Chairman Gordon said that the foremost humanitarian organization in the country has enough blood supply for the needs of Abra, Ilocos Sur, and other areas affected by the quake. He added that Abra and Ilocos are major suppliers of blood. Chairman Gordon also assured the public that, “The PRC’s 102 blood service facilities nationwide are ready to assist in case of need.”

PRC reminded those who wish to donate blood of the qualifications: (1) Must be 16 to 65 years old, (2) Those who are 16 to 17 years old must have a written consent from a parent or guardian, (3) Must weigh at least 50 kilograms or 110 pounds, (4) Must have at least 5 hours of sleep the night before, (5) Must have no alcohol intake in the last 24 hours, and (6) Must have eaten before donating but without fatty food intake.

Female donors who have their monthly period may still donate blood, provided they pass the standard screening. A qualified person may donate blood every three months.

To request blood from the PRC, a hospital or doctor’s request must be presented. The PRC also delivers blood to decrease the transport expenses of those in need; they must send the blood request through Viber and submit the original to the person delivering the blood. 

For blood donations, blood requests, and other inquiries, email the PRC National Blood Services at [email protected] or contact the PRC Blood Call Center, which may be reached nationwide by dialing 143.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) honors former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) and commemorates his humanitarian legacy even as PRC mourns with his family at his passing.

FVR consistently supported PRCs’s disaster responses, most notably the Mt. Pinatubo Eruption (1991) Response and the Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake (1990) Response in Cabanatuan and Baguio.

PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon attests that, “FVR was not only a decorated soldier but was also a blood galloner. A blood galloner is one who has donated at least one gallon of blood in his lifetime. Being a serviceman, FVR appreciated the value of blood during emergencies and had been a regular donor since 1954. Gordon fondly remembers that FVR was truly an advocate of blood donation and that if it were up to him, he would have kept on donating blood, if not for his age being past the requirement for blood donors. Gordon would then fondly tease FVR that PRC would place his blood in a museum. 

Chairman Gordon had the privilege of conferring FVR with the Gold Humanitarian Service Cross Award for his invaluable assistance and generosity to the most vulnerable through the Red Cross.

“FVR may be gone, but his humanitarian spirit will forever live on not only as a memory but as an inspiration to future generations,” Gordon says.

Five days after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit North Luzon, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) immediately provided a Child-Friendly Space, where over 90 children participated in different activities designed as psychological first aid (PFA), such as a clowns’ and magicians’ show, in the municipality of Santa, Ilocos Sur, August 1. Overall, 323 children received PFA in Ilocos Sur.

“Bukod sa mga nasirang kabahayan at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan, naapektuhan din ang ating mga kabataan dahil nanatili sa kanila ang takot dulot ng malakas na lindol. Laging handa ang trained volunteers and staff ng Red Cross upang tulungan ang ating mga kabataan sa aspetong ito ng kanilang kalusugan,” Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

Aside from the Child-Friendly Space, the PRC distributed hygiene kits and 10,000 liters of water to 103 families or 317 individuals in Santa, served hot meals to 350 persons, and provided health services to 67. To protect the community against COVID-19, the PRC also distributed 800 face masks and 50 pieces of COVID-19 leaflets.

Present during the distribution of services in Santa were Mayor Jesus Bueno Jr., Barangay Tabucolan Captain Armando Baguyo, and personnel from the Social Welfare and Development Office, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection.

The PRC continues to provide other much-needed aid to people affected by the earthquake in Abra and Ilocos Sur, the hardest hit provinces. As of August 1, it has distributed 148,649 liters of water through its water tankers, 6,155 hot meals, 2,341 face masks, 1,250 COVID-19 leaflets, 868 hygiene kits, 662 packs of bread, 264 sleeping kits, and 33 tents, among other humanitarian aid.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang ating pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan sa Abra at Ilocos Sur, na syang lubos na naapektuhan ng lindol at aftershocks nito. Laging maaasahan ang Red Cross sa ganitong uri ng sakuna,” Chairman Gordon assured.

Four days after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Northern Luzon, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) provided psychological first aid (PFA) to more than 700 persons in Abra and Ilocos Sur, 216 of them children. PFA is given by trained individuals to people who have just experienced a serious crisis event. The World Health Organization says it “involves humane, supportive and practical assistance for people who are distressed, in ways that respect their dignity, culture, and abilities.”

Trained PRC facilitators give PFA to children through activities that are appropriate to their age, such as games. PRC’s Welfare Services Team set up Child-Friendly Spaces (CFSs) in areas affected by hazard events as a standard component of PRC’s disaster responses. “Tinutugunan ng Red Cross hindi lang ang pisikal na pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayang naapektuhan ng malakas na lindol sa Northern Luzon kundi pati na rin ang kanilang mental health needs.”

The PRC continues to provide other much-needed aid to people affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Northern Luzon mid-morning of July 27. As of July 31, it has distributed around 16,000 liters of water through its water tankers, 3,180 hot meals, 1,200 bottles of water, 970 face masks, 762 hygiene kits, and 262 sleeping kits, among other forms of humanitarian aid.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that the 7.0 magnitude quake affected more than 1.7 million people in Abra, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Benguet, Baguio, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan-Dagupan, Aurora, Cagayan, and Nueva Ecija. More than 600 families, or around 3,000 persons, are still in evacuation centers. More than 4,500 houses were damaged.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), under the leadership of its Chairman and CEO, Richard J. Gordon, organized a humanitarian caravan to provide assistance to persons affected by the 7.0 Magnitude earthquake in Northwest Luzon last July 27, 2022. The caravan is composed of a 12,000-liter water tanker with a water tap stand set and 5,000-liter water bladders and a wing van transporting sleeping kits, jerry can water containers, tents, generators, rice, and masks. The rolling assets were expected to reach Abra by 2:00 am on 29 July.                                                     

Chairman Gordon is continuously monitoring the situation from the PRC National Headquarters and receiving regular reports from the PRC’s state-of-the-art Operations Center. “The Red Cross is always ready with pre-positioned supplies, assets, and life-saving equipment, because we know the value of being prepared. Thousands of volunteers are well-trained, highly dedicated, and committed to alleviating the suffering of the vulnerable, especially in the aftermath of disasters. You can always count on us,” declared Chairman Gordon.

The NDRRMC / OCD reported that there have been 887 aftershocks recorded in the past 36 hours, with more than 210 plotted and 24 actually felt. In Tayum, Abra, the highest magnitude of aftershock reached 5.0, which damaged 868 houses (857 partially and 11 totally). One hundred thirteen persons in CAR and 18 in the Ilocos region were injured; 1,222 families, or 5,799 individuals, are in 12 evacuation centers.

PRC volunteers on the ground at the Bangued, Abra Town Plaza assisted 47 persons with blood pressure monitoring, 27 for psychological first aid, and 2 for wounds cleaning and transporte

The leader of 14 million volunteers and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) President Francesco Rocca, acclaimed the role of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for its immediate response to the destruction wrought by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Northern Luzon on July 27, 2022.

Mr. Rocca praised PRC’s First Aid and Emergency Teams for being at the forefront of every emergency in the country. He also conveyed the unity of the IFRC team spirit and expressed solidarity to the people affected by the major quake. Mr. Rocca was very proud that PRC has been doing its utmost to serve all its local communities.

The Chairman and CEO of PRC, Richard J. Gordon thanked him and said, “PRC lives up to its mantra of ‘Volunteers + Logistics + Information Technology = A Red Cross that is Always First, Always Ready, and Always There.’ This guides us to maintain our fidelity to serve humanity. We have always championed community-level action and we shall continue our efforts in localizing humanitarian responses for all. The 102 Chapters of PRC are always prepared and ready to take necessary actions whenever disaster threatens. Rapid response is crucial when disaster strikes because every minute counts. All our volunteers are aware of this and do their best to perform to the utmost of their abilities.”

Mr. Rocca lauded the role of the Philippine Red Cross in its many endeavors to localize humanitarian response and the continuous efforts of its Chairman Richard J. Gordon to take positive action in response to crises. Under Gordon’s leadership, PRC continually shows what can be done when humanity and dignity come first, solidified by the will to assist and protect people.

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
Subscribe to our Newsletter

Follow Us

Check out our Apps

Copyright 2024 Philippine Red Cross