As severe tropical storm “Maring” (international name: Kompasu) pummels various parts of the country, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to intensify its response efforts by getting ready to evacuate families in landslide-prone areas and by deploying its assets and personnel to affected areas in several provinces.
On Tuesday, Oct. 12, PRC expressed readiness to evacuate the families in areas where landslide is possible.
PRC said that it has mobilized its staff and volunteers in preparation for “Maring” after making its landfall and placed parts of Northern Luzon under signal no. 2.
The PRC Cagayan Chapter, in particular, has already conducted pre-emptive evacuation for 42 families from zone 7 in landslide-prone areas in Baggao, Cagayan. Meanwhile, 22 families in Pamplona were also evacuated due to the rising water levels.
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Dick Gordon said that the humanitarian organization continues to extend help during the typhoon.
“24/7 nakatutok ang ating PRC Operation Center sa iba't ibang lugar na apektado ng TS Maring nang sa gayon ay mabilis ang ating pag responde kapag nagka-emergency (Our PRC Operation Center is 24/7 focused on the various areas affected by TS Maring so that we can respond quickly when there is an emergency),” he said.
Local chapter assets, personnel deployed
Despite the ongoing pandemic, PRC continues to deploy its staff and volunteers as well as local assets to affected areas in several provinces.
For instance, the teams from PRC Palawan Chapter conducted risk assessment and reported waist to chest-deep waters in some areas within the Municipality of Narra including Brgy. Malinao, Brgy. Batang Batang, and Brgy Princess Urduja.
PRC said that its local chapter has also conducted a search and rescue operation to find the reported missing persons at Brgy. Princess Urduja in the town of Narra.
Other areas affected by flooding based on PRC’s monitoring include Brgy. Punan of the Municipality of Sofronio Española and Brgy. Poblacion in the Municipality of Quezon.
PRC Palawan Chapter also deployed a five-man volunteer team to distribute hot meals to 150 individuals who were affected by Typhoon Maring in Brgy. Malinao, Narra.
In Cagayan, the local PRC Chapter has deployed its 143 Volunteer's unit to assess the situation as the Pinacanauan River along Teresa Boulevard in Tuguegarao City swells up to 2.45 meters.
PRC La Union Chapter is also on alert as the power went down in the areas of Tanqui and Langcuas in San Fernando City.
As a veteran when it comes to typhoon response, PRC's disaster management assets include seven payloaders, eight humvees, 34 rubber boats, two amphibians, and 43 delivery trucks.
Also, part of PRC's emergency response when it comes to disasters are two head tractors, 139 motorcycles, 10 rescue vehicles, 19 fire trucks, 171 ambulance units, 22 water tanks, and 31 water treatment units.
“All PRC assets and personnel are on standby and will be deployed if necessary to alleviate the suffering of our kababayans before, during, and after the storm,” Gordon said. “That's how PRC works,” he added.