The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) joined the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) Celebration on 10 October by organizing training events for staff and volunteers on Psychological First Aid (PFA) across its chapters nationwide. WMHD’s thrust is to raise awareness about mental health issues.
“We have trained staff and volunteers who provide psychosocial support to people affected by disasters. We are continually training more, so that people will have this needed support available in case a disaster strikes, especially because the Philippines is disaster-prone,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PFA involves humane, supportive and practical help to fellow human beings suffering serious crisis events. PFA is part of PRC’s package of services provided to people affected by fire, typhoons, earthquakes, armed conflict, and other crises. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PRC operated the national, toll-free COVID-19 Hotline 1158 dedicated to providing callers with PFA. In the aftermath of a crisis event, the PRC sets up child-friendly spaces where trained staff and volunteers facilitate activities for children designed as PFA.
“The PRC interventions in mental health aim to equip community-based volunteers to be able to provide support to people who experience a crisis. It aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and the services available,” Dr. Gwen Pang, secretary-general of the PRC, added.
A scientific brief published by WHO in March 2022 says that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people around the world.
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon and Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang expressed their gratitude to Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga, organizers of the Red Charity Gala, for choosing the PRC once again as one of the beneficiaries of the show’s proceeds. The Red Charity Gala is one of the most awaited annual fashion and fundraising events in the Philippines.
“We are always grateful for the support of the Red Charity Gala, which is an opportunity for its followers to appreciate fashion and donate to meaningful causes at the same time. Thank you to Tess and Kaye, for bringing together people who care not just for fashion but also for those who need help the most,” said Gordon.
The Red Charity Gala is named after the Red Cross, which is historically the primary beneficiary of the fashion and fundraising event. The 2023 Red Charity Gala was held at The Peninsula Manila, in Makati City, on 8 October 2023. Gordon and Pang represented the PRC in the event. This year’s gala was the 12th show. It featured celebrity fashion designer Ivarluski “Ivar” Aseron. The event was graced by the Philippines’ First Lady, Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos.
“We are thankful of course to the Red Charity Gala for supporting the Philippine Red Cross. They can be assured that the donation will reach our kababayans who are in situations of disasters and emergencies,” Pang added.
Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon got a courtesy call on 4 October from Ralph Montehermosa, the only Filipino rescuer with Ocean Viking, a cargo vessel conducting search and rescue activities in the central Mediterranean. The ship is chartered and operated by SOS MEDITERRANEE in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). During Mr. Montehermosa’s latest duty period on the ship, their fleet rescued around 1,000 migrants who experienced mishap at sea. He has been a rescuer with Ocean Viking for six years. Referred to by Chairman Gordon as a hero, Mr. Montehermosa says: “Masaya ako na nakaka-save ng buhay.”
Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) honored Philippine Red Cross Chairman/CEO Richard Gordon as a “Man of Exemplary Influence”, for his decades-long service to the country as a humanitarian volunteer and leader, and an advocate of legislation supporting humanitarian organizations.
At a ceremony last Sept. 27, PCS credited Gordon’s exemplary leadership that spanned decades of unwavering commitment to serve. Gordon, who was a past member of PCS’ Board of Trustees, explored a possible collaboration with PCS to help the most vulnerable, specifically cancer patients.
“I am deeply honored by this award from the Philippine Cancer Society. My parents instilled in me compassion for other people, and this award is a testament to how my parents brought me up – having the values of kusang loob, malasakit, and kapwa-tao,” Gordon said
“To our kababayans who are cancer patients, know that there are people who are ready to support you, and among them are the people at Philippine Cancer Society and its donors,” Gordon addressed cancer patients.
The PCS highlighted Gordon’s track record of public service. As Olongapo City Mayor and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman, Gordon led a joint Philippine-American civilian and military rescue effort in the collapsed Central College of the Philippines in Cabanatuan City and the rescue of thousands of college students stranded in Baguio City for reunification with their parents after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Central Luzon in July 1990. Food supplies were also airlifted to the affected populations. Gordon also co-led the rehabilitation operations of Central Luzon after the earthquake.
As Department of Tourism Secretary, he led the rescue of kidnapped tourists at Dos Palmas in 2001. As Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross from 2004 to present, he is at the helm of the country’s premier humanitarian organization, leading not just its disaster responses but also its other services, such as blood collection and dispensing and emergency medical services. As senator, Gordon was instrumental in the enactment of a law that requires media companies to allot more airtime to information on emergencies and responses.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is in the midst of preparation as Typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) placed several regions in Northern Luzon under Signal No. 1. PRC’s rescue and relief assets, equipment, and volunteers are ready to move in anticipation of the possible development of the storm into a typhoon category on Saturday (26 August).
Food trucks, water tankers, and payloaders are in place and can be mobilized instantly. Ambulances, generators, and rescue equipment have similarly been pre-positioned in vulnerable areas.
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon assured that PRC’s chapters and RC143 volunteers are prepared to be mobilized, adding “Northern Luzon is still reeling from the impacts of Egay and Falcon. Landslides can be expected to occur in this region as it experienced massive amounts of rain during the past weeks. Along with other lifelines such as food, water, electricity, and telecommunications, our payloaders are prepositioned in case landslides, fallen trees, and other debris will block roads and hamper our relief and rescue operations.”
PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang said that the PRC chapters in other parts of Luzon and Visayas are also prepared to respond as Goring is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will also cause occasional rains to the mentioned regions.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) attended to 100 individuals, or approximately 20 families, whose houses at Purok 5, Brgy. Tablon, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, were razed by a third-level fire last Monday morning, August 21.
Through its Misamis Oriental-Cagayan De Oro Chapter, the PRC deployed an assessment team with two personnel and a service vehicle with three first aiders to assist the families who lost their houses after providing hot meals, such as arroz caldo.
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon expressed concern for the affected families who had to evacuate. He reiterated the importance of PRC’s ongoing efforts to train at least one first aider in every household for emergencies such as this.
“The reason why we are pushing to have a first aider in every community, school, and home is because they will serve as the first responders during emergencies. Other forms of assistance will require time to reach the location of the incident, but if the first aiders reside within the community, we can deliver immediate medical attention and prevent loss of life,” he emphasized.
PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang said it is important to instill discipline in everyone to avoid accidents such as the recent fire in Cagayan de Oro as she urged the public to observe fire safety precautions to prevent indoor and outdoor fire incidents.
The Philippine Red Cross, GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), and Ever Commonwealth Mall held a blood donation drive, dubbed “Sagip Dugtong Buhay,” at Ever Commonwealth Mall on 11 August 2023. Throngs of blood donors showed up for the event, which resulted in 1,599 bags of blood collected, which can save 6,369 lives.
PRC, the foremost humanitarian organization in the country, and media company GMA Network’s socio-civic arm, GMAKF, have been partners in blood donation drives for 27 years. They aim to contribute to the country’s goal of having an adequate blood supply for medical emergencies. The blood donation drive was held on the occasion of GMAKF founder Mel Tiangco’s birthday.
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon thanked Ms. Tiangco for her advocacy, saying: “Mel has defined herself. Tayong lahat kailangan may definition tayo. Ano’ng klaseng tao tayo. Mabuti ba tayong tao? Madaling sabihin ‘yon. Sabi ko nga sa Latin, ‘acta, non-verba’ — action, not words. Kailangan may prinsipyo ka.”
Gordon also thanked the blood donors and acknowledged their sense of service, saying: “Helping other people, giving blood, needs practice. If you do not practise it, makakalimutan mo ‘yan. We salute you! We do not know who gets the blood. It is important for you to realize that.”
Gordon granted the PRC Blood Galloner recognition to those who have donated a gallon of blood so far in their lifetime. PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang made the rounds among the blood donors and personally thanked and acknowledged them.
The Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC) fire truck and ambulance unit responded to a vehicular crash that left one male pedestrian dead and another injured at Madison St. corner Pioneer St. in Mandaluyong City yesterday evening.
The PRC’s Emergency Response Unit extricated the two pedestrians and helped other rescuers provide urgent prehospital treatment and ambulance transport to the injured victim. The PRC’s Emergency Medical Services, meanwhile, provided a cadaver bag for the deceased victim.
From January 1 to August 10 this year, PRC deployed 6,356 ambulance emergency responses — 1,343 of which were to various types of vehicle crashes. A total of 1,246 patients were involved in the vehicular crashes.
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon expressed compassion to the families of the victims and noted the importance of accident insurance and a culture of safety as he urged every Filipino to enroll in the organization’s Membership Accident Assistance Benefits (MAAB). “We all have to prepare for risks,” he added.
MAAB is PRC’s membership program, which also provides protection to members through accident insurance coverage in exchange for their volunteer service in PRC’s humanitarian activities, both physically and financially.
Chairman Gordon explained that the membership program helps the humanitarian organization fulfill its steadfast commitment to always be prepared to assist and respond to those in need.
ANGONO, RIZAL — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and its partners held a medical mission in this town last August 5, benefitting almost 600 residents from various barangays.
The PRC spearheaded “Health Caravan: A Medical Outreach” in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Rizal, the Rotary Club through Rotary Club District 3830 Governor Dr. Mildred Vitangcol, and the Latter-Day Saints Charities.
Senior citizens, mothers, children, and persons with disabilities were the priorities of the initiative. They availed themselves of the following services: medical consultation; medicines; health lectures; hygiene kits; vision, hearing, mobility, and cancer screening; laboratory tests; Pneumonia vaccination; and dental services.
PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said that one of the objectives of the PRC is to deliver healthcare services to communities, particularly in times of disasters and emergencies.
Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang, who personally attended the activity, said that eyeglasses and wheelchairs would soon be distributed to the beneficiaries. She explained that the eyeglasses and wheelchairs would be customized to meet each individual’s specific needs. She added that a comfortable wheelchair and a properly-fitting pair of prescription glasses can relatively improve the quality of life of a person with mobility and vision limitations.
The Health Caravan of PRC alone has provided free services to over 28, 000 persons across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao during the first five months of 2023.
Angono Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon lauded the initiative and expressed gratitude to PRC and its partner organizations.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Climate Change Commission today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to advance public awareness, advocacy campaigns, and programs on climate change adaptation and mitigation at the local level.
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon and Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang signed the six-year agreement with CCC Vice Chair and Executive Director, Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, and Commissioner, Attorney Rachel Anne Herrera.
The two organizations agreed to collaborate on enhancing the knowledge and projects of communities and local government units on climate change concerns. They are also looking to integrate their tools for current and future policies. PRC pledged its support for the forestation activities of CCC’s Carbon-Zero Challenge, an initiative aimed at reducing the carbon emissions from a product or service.
Chairman Gordon commended the CCC for its commitment to combat climate change. He said: “Through our millions of RC143 volunteers in thousands of communities, we can help implement climate action projects and policies effectively at the community level. One of our goals on why we keep pushing to have a group of trained volunteers in each community is to bring our mission closer to every Filipino.”
Dr. Pang, in her previous discussions on climate change adaptation, has been reiterating the importance of investing in nature-based solutions and sustainable use of natural resources to combat climate change. “We have to work with nature to mitigate the impact of climate change,” she said.
The PRC has been actively campaigning and promoting climate action through its Health Services, Safety Services, Welfare Services, WASH, Disaster Risk Reduction, Anticipatory Action activities, and projects such as educating the youth, equipping PRC chapters with climate change knowledge, community planning, and projects on nature-based solutions.
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.
