The medical assets and services, staff, and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Friday, Oct. 28, were deployed at different transportation hubs and memorial parks nationwide to assure the safety of the anticipated volume of travelers for "Undas" 2022.
PRC said that its assistance operations, mainly for motorists and commuters who will travel to other cities and provinces for this upcoming All Saints Day and All Souls Day, will last until Wednesday, Nov. 2.
A total of 1,104 trained first aiders and 222 PRC staff were mobilized nationwide, PRC said.
Also, 217 first aid stations were set up and positioned in 235 cemeteries, bus terminals, seaports, airports, and highways across the country.
First aid stations were also placed on major highways in Abra, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Northern Luzon Expressway, Sta Rosa Laguna, Davao Del Sur, Surigao Del Sur, and Valenzuela City.
The organization reiterated its public reminder of strictly complying with minimum public health standards on Covid-19 such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing.
It also issued the following safety reminders:
• Use a seatbelt
• Wear a helmet on a motorcycle
• Drive at a safe speed and distance suitable for the conditions
• Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Do not use a mobile phone while driving
• Know and respect the highway code
• Maintain the vehicle in good condition
• Be visible as a pedestrian or a cyclist
• Know how to react in case of a crash
• Wear loose cotton shirts
• Avoid bringing small children to a cemetery, if necessary, put a small piece of paper with their name and contact details in case they might get lost
• If under medication, don’t forget to bring your medicines
• Avoid bringing easily spoiled food
• Don’t forget to bring drinking water, fans, face towels, and umbrellas to avoid dehydration
• Remember “BLOW BAGETS” (Breaks, Lights, Oil, Water, Batteries, Air, Gas, Engine, Tires, Self)
Aside from "Undas" 2022, PRC said that it has also alerted its staff and volunteers for the expected onslaught of tropical storm Paeng.
PRC Chapters nationwide are already preparing the necessary relief and medical assistance for the victims of the tropical storm.
As of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's 2 p.m. bulletin, Paeng was last spotted 155 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, or 245 km east-southeast of Catarman, Northern Samar.