PH Red Cross clears more roads in 'Odette'-hit areas to make way for more relief efforts


More relief aid will reach residents affected by Typhoon Odette, after the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) payloaders cleared roads of more debris, the organization said on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

(Photo from Philippine Red Cross / MANILA BULLETIN)

PRC said that they have cleared 2,468 cubic yards of debris through the payloaders deployed by PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dick Gordon to hasten relief operations in the affected areas. He said that it is part of their commitment to humanity ro restore lifelines in each area affected by the Typhoon.

“To make way for more relief, we need to clear the roads so that help can enter to assist the affected residents,” Gordon said.

PRC said through Gordon's leadership, the organization was able to acquire seven payloaders to provide immediate assistance in the clearing operations. The payloaders can also be used to assist farmers and clear desilt farmlands affected by different typhoons.

PRC recalled that back in 2016, a total of 8,694 farmers benefited from the deployment of PRC payloader to desilt agricultural lands in 22 barangays of the municipality of Bongabon PRC is the only Red Cross Society with a payloader, it said and this was through the vision of Gordon to provide immediate relief to the affected residents as knew the necessity of acquiring payloaders to provide relief since the Philippines is prone to natural disasters.

"Through the payloaders, help can arrive immediately, abiding by PRC’s commitment to be always first, always ready, and always there where help is needed," PRC said.