Philippine Red Cross

165 families made homeless by lahar flooding receive new homes from Philippine Red Cross

Written on May 10, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

Guinobatan, Albay — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) turned over Certificates of Occupancy to 165 new homes for families made homeless by lahar flooding in Daraga and Guinobatan, Albay. The lahar flooding was caused by Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni), which made landfall in Albay on November 1, 2020, and debris from Mayon Volcano’s eruption on January 18, 2018.

Goni, considered the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone in 2020, affected 522,600 families, or 2,030,130 persons, in Regions II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VIII, CAR, and NCR.

Immediately after the damage assessment in Albay, Chairman Gordon initiated a search for a suitable place to relocate those who lost their homes to the lahar flood.

“Gusto natin makabangon kaagad ang tao. Sabi ko nga kay Governor Bichara, kailangan ko ng lote na malaki, na pwede paglagyan ng mga tao. At dali-dali naman, umaksyon na kaagad si Governor Bichara. At ngayon, nalagay na natin dun ‘yung mga bahay para sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng tahanan dahil sa lahar na dulot ng Super Typhoon Rolly at Mt. Mayon eruption,” Chairman Gordon said.

Each house costs more than Php200,000.00. Each family also received the first tranche of Php10,000.00 cash assistance to help them rehabilitate their livelihoods. The relocation site, in Bubulusan, Guinobatan, is assessed to be safe, compared to the locations of the beneficiaries’ homes before the super typhoon.

PRC collaborated with local governments in Albay and various government agencies, such as the Albay provincial human settlement office and the provincial engineering office to make the housing project possible. The project was made possible through partnership with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Canadian Red Cross, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, British Embassy, Thai Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, Singapore Red Cross, and online donors.

Gordon deploys Bakuna Bus in Zamboanga City

Written on May 5, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

Supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon ordered the quick deployment of Bakuna Bus to help the government in its vaccination program in Zamboanga City last May 2, 2022.

“Patuloy na maglilingkod ang PRC para sa mga kapatid natin sa Zamboanga City at iba pang karatig probinsiya dito sa Mindanao. Sa katunayan, walang humpay ang deployment ng ating Bakuna Buses upang makamit natin ang herd immunity sa lalong madaling panahon. Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa ICRC para sa agarang tulong upang maisakatuparan natin ang ganitong gawain,” Sen. Gordon said.

Since the pilot deployment in Mindanao on April 14, 2022, the PRC Bakuna Buses have already served around 1,000 individuals, including those in Manolo, Fortich, and Impasug-ong, Bukidnon and Malalag, Kiblawan, and Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

The PRC, aiming to provide an efficient mobile COVID-19 vaccination program, designed every Bakuna Bus’s interior with facilities following the vaccine administration protocols, COVID-19 vaccines and other supplies, and space for vaccinators, volunteers, and staff. Besides administering COVID-19 vaccines through these Bakuna Buses, the PRC aimed to educate its target communities in Mindanao about the importance of participating in the organization’s vaccination programs to achieve herd immunity amidst the pandemic.

The PRC has recorded 1,158,745 vaccination doses with 20 Bakuna Buses deployed in different areas in the Philippines.

Philippine Red Cross starts administering second Covid-19 booster shots to the elderly, immunocompromised

Written on April 28, 2022. Posted in Features, News and Events. Leave a Comment

Diabetes patient Nicanor Viray, 85 years old, gets his Covid-19 second booster shot at the Philippine Red Cross.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) started administering second booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines today, April 27, 2022, in Mandaluyong City, to the elderly and the immunocompromised. The Philippines’ Department of Health announced last April 13, 2022 that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the administration of Covid-19 second booster shots to the elderly, the immunocompromised, and frontline health workers.

PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Richard “Dick” J. Gordon, advised the immunocompromised who are fully vaccinated and have the first booster shot to get the second booster shot if the required time interval has lapsed. “Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na immunocompromised na fully vaccinated at may first booster shot na kumuha ng second booster shot sa akmang panahon,” Chairman Gordon said.

The spouses Ninfa and Nicanor Viray, who are both elderly and immunocompromised, had their second booster shots at the PRC today. Ms. Viray, 84 years old, is a cancer patient who just had a mastectomy. Mr. Viray, 85 years old, is a diabetes patient. They both had their first booster in December 2021. The second booster shot against Covid-19 is given at

least four months after the first booster shot, but the interval could be earlier for other patients if prescribed by a doctor.

“That we’ll be more protected from more severe symptoms owing to our age. We’d like to be as protected as possible, considering that sometimes we are also compelled to go out of the house to buy some basic needs,” was Ms. Viray’s answer when asked what she hoped the second booster shot would do. She added that getting the second booster shot is part of their taking care of themselves, because their decisions about their health affect the rest of the family.

When asked how they would encourage other members of the elderly population to get vaccinated, Ms. Viray says she would show them how she and her husband have relative capacity to still enjoy life, because they can be mobile and interact with people with confidence despite their advanced years. Mr. Viray shares that his style is personal; he talks to his friends about the benefits of getting vaccinated.

Ms. Viray says they try to observe all the health protocols as much as possible, because they don’t want to abuse the new lease on life they are enjoying because of the protection that the vaccines give. Mr. Viray attests that since he got vaccinated, he has felt more assured that he is protected. The couple is keen on doing their share in educating the community about the collective nature and solution to the Covid-19 public health emergency.

The PRC’s vaccination efforts are part of its mandate as auxiliary to the government in its humanitarian tasks. The PRC started administering Covid-19 vaccines in March 2021. To date, it has administered 1,153,200 doses of Covid-19 vaccines and boosters through its Bakuna Centers, Bakuna Teams, and Bakuna Buses nationwide. It has fully vaccinated 367,985 individuals.

Philippine Red Cross recognizes partners in Caloocan City Chapter

Written on April 25, 2022. Posted in News and Events.

On the occasion of the Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC) 75th anniversary, the PRC Caloocan City Chapter recognized more than 100 volunteers and individual partners and 80 partner organizations in humanitarian response last April 23, 2022, Saturday, in a Recognition Day ceremony at Victory Mall in Caloocan City. 36 tablets were also distributed to 36 beneficiary students during the recognition ceremony. The gadgets were from the Gadget Pantry Project, through the sponsorship of the charity organization HERD.

PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon, lauds and thanks the awardees and honorees for being part of PRC’s mantra of “Volunteers + Logistics + Information Technology = A Red Cross that is Always First, Always Ready, Always There.”

Volunteers received awards for their dedication in providing their services, especially in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the volunteers are community-based men and women and boys and girls who give their time, resources, and energy to ensure the success of PRC’s health and other campaigns in the barangays and work alongside PRC staff to respond to emergencies and calamities. Nursing students who volunteer their skills and time in community-based health programs and as emergency medical services on-the-job trainees were also recognized.

Three barangay captains and four barangays were commended for their consistency in partnering with the PRC to respond to emergencies and calamities in their barangays. Another government entity whose partnership was celebrated by PRC was the 6th Mobile Force Company of the Philippine National Police. Socio-civic clubs or fraternities such as Tau Gamma Phi chapters, Rotary Clubs, and Eagles’ Clubs, and the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church were also extolled. Community-based associations, professionals’ organizations, student governments, schools, and business entities were cited for their contribution of their time, talent, and resources.

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 gears-up for the 16th annual South-East Asia Red Cross & Red Crescent leadership meeting

Written on October 23, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is all set for the 16th Annual South-East Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent Leadership Meeting in Makati City on October 24 – 25, 2019.

This year’s meeting is hosted and chaired by the PRC with the support from the South-East Asia International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretariat.

This gathering brings together more than 40 leaders from IFRC, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), including Presidents, Chairmen, and Secretaries-General from the 11 South-East Asia National Societies: PRC, Thai Red Cross, Indonesian Red Cross, Viet Nam Red Cross, Singapore Red Cross, Cambodian Red Cross, Lao Red Cross, Myanmar Red Cross, Timor-Leste Red Cross, Malaysian Red Crescent and Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent.

The main objectives of the annual meeting are to discuss Movement policies and issues of the Red Cross and Red Crescent work among the National Societies, the Federation secretariat and the ICRC, agree on appropriate action and follow up, and to decide on issues of interest to the Movement in the region.

It also provides an important opportunity for Presidents, Secretaries-General and senior management to evaluate challenges, successes and future direction, as a way of further strengthening the world’s largest humanitarian network.

This year, the leaders will discuss the outcome of the previous meeting held on April 10 – 11, 2018 in Melaka, Malaysia and review other priority agendas such as the Manila Call For Action which was adopted by Red Cross and Red Crescent leaders during the 10th Asia Pacific Regional Conference, from November 11 – 14, 2018 in Manila, the One Billion Coalition for Resilience (1BC), Localization of actions, Migration, and Preparation for the Statutory Meeting.

Under the Manila Call For Action, the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of Asia – Pacific region are committed to Engaging Local Humanitarian Action in a Fast – Changing World.

These National Societies are also committed to adopting a community – centered approach that focuses on strengthening engagement with partners, branches and communities decentralizing management and resources allocation by National Societies, in line with localization.

The One Billion Coalition for Resilience (1BC), on the other hand, is an initiative introduced and designed by the IFRC to scale-up community and civic action on resilience.

Within the next 10 years, the goal is to engage at least one billion people in every household around the world in active steps towards strengthening their resilience.

Red Cross, Modess to educate 500,000 students on menstrual hygiene

Written on September 6, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has advanced farther in its goal of breaking boundaries among girls and young women who experience challenges posed by social stereotypes and misconception on menstruation.

PRC and Johnson and Johnson, the company behind Modess, officially launched a partnership that aims to reach out to 500,000 students from over 400 schools nationwide by educating them on proper menstrual hygiene.

“Young women experience difficulties because of lack of knowledge on menstrual hygiene. It bars them from doing what they have to do. Children often skip classes because they are scared of being teased. It is important that everyone will be properly educated—boys and girls alike,” PRC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla said.

Under the partnership, PRC and Modess will visit schools to hold dialogues and activities to create normalcy and supportive environment for women and girls.

Among the challenges that will be addressed are lack of information, cultural taboos, and anxiety.

“It is our duty to help people understand menstruation. Our partnership with PRC aims to end stigma that had haunted women for years. Together, we want girls to be comfortable,” Raghu Krishnan, President and Managing Director of Johnson and Johnson, said.

The partnership launch was part of Modess’ Move Camp 2019, a gathering of young Filipinos who call for an end to stigma, led by celebrity ambassadors Maymay Entrata, Bella Racelis, Hazel Quing, Kianna Dy, Jai Asuncion, and Agassi Ching.

PRC, through its Water Sanitation and Hygiene Unit, has been actively promoting menstrual hygiene management in schools, communities, and disaster-stricken areas.

Last May, PRC conducted nationwide community-based activities that highlight the need for collaborative action to mainstream menstrual education.

Red Cross dengue ops get 1M support from GT Foundation

Written on September 5, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)’s dengue epidemic response operations received a major boost with a P1 million grant from GT Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Metrobank Group.

Chairman Richard Gordon said the timely contribution enables PRC to reach more communities affected by the dengue epidemic, which has now taken 958 lives and infected 229,736 individuals.

“We have a long-standing partnership with the Metrobank Group that mirrors our shared commitment to alleviate the suffering of the people. Thank you, Metrobank and GT Foundation, for once again trusting us. This is for our country that is now facing a crisis due to dengue,” Gordon said.

PRC will utilize the funds to further implement its three-point strategy against dengue epidemic: decongest hospitals by setting up medical tents; ensure supply of quality and adequate blood; and, conduct massive information and cleanup drives through its 104 chapters nationwide.

To date, PRC has assisted 3,231 patients through its 10 medical tents in most affected hospitals in Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Cavite, and Iligan. PRC also dispensed 330 blood products for patients with dengue hemorrhagic cases.

Metrobank Group, as PRC’s institutional partner, has collaborated with the organization in reaching out to disaster-stricken communities and expanding its capacity.

During Gordon’s birthday last August, the Metrobank Foundation donated P200,000 to support the PRC ambulance Samaritan program.

PRC also received P2.4 million, which represented the proceeds of Metrobank Group’s appeal to donate to the organization in lieu of flowers for the late philanthropist Dr. George SK Ty.

Red Cross intensifies counter-dengue ops with more tents, blood supplies

Written on August 13, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) shows no letup in addressing the dengue crisis as it deployed more medical tents and blood products to support communities with a high number of dengue cases.

Under the leadership of Chairman Richard Gordon, PRC has treated 1,055 patients through its eight emergency medical tents that serve as extension wards and fast lanes in Iloilo, Capiz, and Aklan.

The medical tents are installed at most overcrowded hospitals namely Balasan District Hospital, Sara District Hospital and Guimbal District Hospital in Iloilo; Tapaz District Hospital and Bailan District Hospital in Capiz; and Aklan Provincial Hospital.

PRC recently opened a 60-bed medical tent at the Pagamutang Bayan ng Dasmarinas in the Province of Cavite, where 3,277 dengue cases have been recorded.

“Tens of thousands of patients continue streaming into overcrowded hospital. All hands are on deck to address this deadly epidemic. We set up medical tents, augment the blood supply in most affected provinces, and put our ambulances on standby,” Gordon said.

Gordon also assured that PRC, with the support of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, remains on full alert to supply the blood needs amid the declaration of a national epidemic.

As of August 8, PRC has supplied 330 units of blood supplies to over a hundred patients with hemorrhagic complications from Iloilo and Aklan.

On Wednesday, PRC National Headquarters sent 85 units of frozen blood products to Tacloban and Palawan after it augment 165 blood units to Iloilo and Aklan.

‘Three-point strategy’

Gordon, who treats the dengue crisis as a “national emergency,” came up with a three-point strategy to address the dengue epidemic—deploy medical tents, maintain the adequacy of blood supply, and mobilize 143 volunteers to conduct cleanup efforts.

PRC maximizes its network of community volunteers through Red Cross 143 and Red Cross Youth programs to track down dengue and conduct clean-up efforts within a 400-meter radius where they are discovered.

“The real solution to dengue is a massive cleanup. The Red Cross is treating it as a national emergency because one dead is already one dead too many,” Gordon said.

Red Cross acquires additional ambulances from Security Bank

Written on August 9, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) formally unveiled two new ambulance units from the Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) to further equip the organization’s emergency response efforts.

This brings the total number of ambulance units donated by SBFI over the past three years to five.

Chairman Richard Gordon, who led the turnover ceremony on Wednesday, said the additional ambulance units empower the Red Cross to assist more people affected by emergencies, such as fire incidents, vehicular crashes, medical emergencies, and disasters.

“As the preferred humanitarian partner, we assure SBFI that their support will reach the most vulnerable communities. This is a truly noble cause to help our countrymen in need of emergency medical services,” Gordon said as he expressed gratitude to SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao, Jr. for consistently fueling the organization’s humanitarian drives.

The Red Cross has saved 1,889 people using the SBFI ambulances, including 674 people involved in road crash incidents and medical emergencies.

PRC, through its fleet of 154 ambulances, has rescued 46,451 individuals for 2019 alone.

Present during the turnover ceremony were PRC Secretary General Elizabeth Zavalla, Assistant Secretary General Ramon Murillo, Blood Services Director Dr. Christie Monina Nalupta, Safety Services Acting Manager Von Ryan Ong, and SBFI Vice President Melissa Aquino.

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