The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Operations Center (OpCen) immediately sent two firetrucks and two ambulance units to Block 17, Old Baseco Compound, Port Area, Tondo, Manila on May 19, after receiving a call that it was under massive fire.
The fire reached the first alarm at 7:40 p.m and quickly escalated to the fourth alarm by 8:31 p.m affecting more than 300 families. After the fire was put under control, PRC provided hot meals prepared on the spot by their Welfare Services Team to those affected.
"Laging handang tumulong ang PRC sa pangangailangan, alinsunod sa aming layunin na maging laging una, laging handa, at laging nandyan para sa ating mga kababayan ( PRC is always ready to help those in need in line with our goal to be always ahead, prepared, and present for our countrymen),” PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon said in a statement Friday, May 20.
At around 1:05 p.m the same day, PRC also dispatched firetrucks and ambulance service teams to a fire at the GA Tower on EDSA, just a few distances away from PRC Headquarters. The fire was put out after an hour.
Gordon assured us that PRC is always ready to respond to any fire emergencies. He also reminded the public to be extra careful as there are still a lot of fire incidents happening even after the rainy season has already started.
"Fire safety begins at home – identify fire hazards and plan out evacuation measures in case of fire to uphold the safety of everyone," he added.