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'Agaton'-affected families in Capiz receive cash assistance from PH Red Cross
'Agaton'-affected families in Capiz receive cash assistance from PH Red Cross
Over 300 families in Capiz received multipurpose cash assistance from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
A total of 333 affected families in Barangays Ambilay, Cabugao, and Cabangahan in the municipality of Panitan, Capiz were granted much-needed cash assistance to help them recover in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agaton.
In April, “Agaton” caused flooding and landslides in four cities and 77 nationwide. PRC said in a statement that it intends the cash grant of P5,000 per family or Php1,665,000 to be “multipurpose” --- which means “it should help meet whatever the beneficiaries’ needs are.”
The cash grant is part of the Forecast-Based Financing Project, a partnership between the Philippine Red Cross, the German Red Cross, and the Finnish Red Cross.
PRC Board of Governors member Francis Joseph J. Jalandoni, together with 72 volunteers and staff from various PRC services and teams, took charge of the relief operations.
Fifteen members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team and six police officers ensured peace and order during the event.
Meanwhile, PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard J. Gordon reassured those who were made vulnerable by “Agaton” that the Red Cross will continue to assist until they can recover.
“Gaya ng dati, nandito ang Red Cross para alalayan ang ating mga kababayan hanggang sa sila ay maka-recover (As always, the Red Cross is here to support our countrymen until they recover ),” Gordon said.
From April 7 to May 1, the PRC also served hot meals to 13,548 individuals and distributed 621,760 liters of water to populations affected by TS Agaton in Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, General Santos City, Hilongos, Iloilo, Leyte, Maguindanao, Negros Occidental, Ormoc, Passi City, Sorsogon, Southern Leyte, and Surigao del Norte.
PRC also provided food items to 1,333 families and psychosocial first aid to 757 adults and 371 children.
Likewise, PRC’s emergency response unit helped evacuate 67 individuals and rescued another 99.
The PRC volunteers and staff provided emergency medical services, hygiene education, and PPEs. They also helped some local government units in distributing their relief items.