PH Red Cross rescues 176 residents affected by floods in Misamis Oriental
By Dhel Nazario
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said on Monday, Dec. 26 that it rescued 176 residents from 10 Gingoog City barangays affected by flash floods in Misamis Oriental on Christmas Day.

PRC said that it deployed its water search and rescue (WASAR) teams to help the affected residents before evacuating them to safety.
“We immediately deployed our 5-man WASAR team and other PRC assets and personnel. PRC will deploy its hot meals on wheels to the evacuation centers to provide hot, ready to eat food to the rescued families," PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon
"Nakakalungkot na nangyari ito sa araw mismo ng pasko. I commend the brave volunteers of Red Cross on the ground, they are putting their lives at risk to save the affected families. In spite of challenges the Red Cross will do what must be done,” he added.
PRC is currently serving hot meals in the evacuation center at the Arthuro S. Lugod Gymnasium.
It added that several roads were also rendered impassable, these are the Gingoog City National Road due to knee-deep flood and the highway in Brgy. Lawit Balantian due to a pocket landslide.
“Our volunteers and staff on the ground are making sure that the PRC will always be an available lifeline for those in need, even during the holiday season,” PRC Secretary General Gwen Pang assured.
Aside from the flood in Misamis Oriental, the PRC Iligan City Chapter is also on duty due to reports of rising water levels in many barangays. There are no reported evacuees as of writing.