The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Wednesday, Jan. 17, said 34 families or 98 people had been rescued after being stranded at Brgy. Magading in Nabunturan town, Davao de Oro province, due to floods.
The PRC reported that over 1,000 families across Davao were temporarily staying in evacuation centers as of Tuesday, Jan. 16, due to flooding triggered by heavy rains.
The response was carried out by PRC's Davao de Oro Chapter, which transported the stranded families to a nearby evacuation center to ensure their safety.
They also deployed a water search and rescue team with five personnel to assist the local government unit in evacuating families in Nabunturan after several roads were rendered impassable by landslides and floods.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of more tropical cyclones in the coming months, PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon underscored the organization's efforts to strengthen and equip its chapters nationwide.
"Our chapters across the country are always on alert to promptly respond to our countrymen who may be affected by storms or floods, especially now that we're entering the rainy season and can expect more frequent downpours and typhoons," Gordon said.
Moreover, the organization added that RC143 volunteers are currently serving hot meals to evacuees in Barangay Sasa in Davao City and Brgy. Dawis in Nabunturan Davao De Oro.
PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang, for her part, assured that volunteers and staff from affected chapters, including those in South Cotabato and Cotabato City, are closely monitoring the situation in their respective areas.