By Jel Santos The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) was lauded by an official of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) for its efforts to support the country's fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Philippine Red Cross (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Xavier Castillanos, IFRC’s regional director for Asia-Pacific, commended PRC’s COVID response, saying it is a "clear example of leadership in action." “Great presentation of Chairman Gordon. So proud to see the work of Philippine Red Cross. Clear example of leadership in action,” he said. In the recent South East Asia Virtual Leaders’ Meeting, Gordon reported on the actions taken by the PRC in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The PRC is providing face masks, personal protective equipment (PPEs) to hospitals, other frontline agencies, and overseas Filipino workers leaving the country," he said. Gordon also reported that the PRC has set up tents in different hospitals to support their COVID-19 emergency response, transported COVID patients using negative pressure ambulances, and more recently, opened the first two of more than 20 COVID testing laboratories to ensure victory over the virus. Moreover, PRC continues its humanitarian operations in areas recently hit by disasters such as typhoons, earthquake, volcanic eruption and typhoons, among others. IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian organization that provides assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class, or political opinion. It comprises 192 member Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, a secretariat in Geneva, and more than 60 delegations strategically located to support activities around the world.