The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) - Batangas Chapter sent assistance to a woman who has given birth amid tropical storm Paeng's onslaught on Saturday evening, Oct. 29.
PRC - Batangas Chapter said in a Manila Bulletin interview that they were initially instructed to help San Juan, Batangas local government unit in evacuating patients from San Juan District Hospital.
But the roads bound to the district hospital were not passable due to chest-level flood, it added.
The volunteers' mission was then diverted to the evacuation of families in Barangay Balagbag in Buhay Na Sapa and Poctol.
While waiting for further instructions, the PRC volunteers were alerted by a Manila Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office official that there was a woman who has given birth inside their vehicle in Barangay Buhay na Sapa.
"The team immediately proceed to the mentioned area and saw the family are already in Talahiban 1st and the mother already gave birth inside their vehicle," PRC said.
Upon arrival, PRC - Batangas Chapter said that its volunteers immediately checked the mother's viral signs, ensured the safety of the mother and baby "Jadiel" against hypothermia and septic shock, cut the umbilical cord, and transported them to the nearest lying-in clinic via PRC's 6x6 rescue vehicle.