Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Gordon on Saturday, Jan. 20, lauded volunteers for rescuing flood and landslide victims in Davao, while commending Cebu preparations for Sinulog festivities.
In Davao, the PRC said in a statement, that volunteers have been working “bravely” to help families affected by the shearline-induced floods and landslides.
“I congratulate the men and women of PRC in various areas in Davao who risked their lives to help people,” he said.
Gordon expressed his appreciation for the commendable efforts of 46 trained volunteers, including a water search and rescue (WASAR) team, who were deployed to the affected areas to assist in the evacuation of families.
PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang, meanwhile, assured that the volunteers and staff from PRC Chapters in Davao del Norte, Davao Del Sur, and Davao Oriental will continue their distribution of hot meals and hygiene kits.
The PRC chapters in General Santos City and Davao City are currently monitoring the situations in their areas of responsibility, as over 3,000 families in the Davao region remain displaced and are temporarily staying in evacuation centers with limited access to necessities on Friday, Jan. 19.
The organization has reported that it has provided 4,361 hot meals to the evacuees and affected families in Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte.
The PRC also set up a first aid station in Davao de Oro to provide basic medical care to evacuees. PRC’s mountain search and rescue team, an ambulance, and its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team are currently assisting the retrieval operation.
Meanwhile, Chairman Gordon also lauded PRC Cebu led by Administrator Maria Vera de Jesus for its preparations for the upcoming Sinulog festival.
The chapter has set up an Emergency Medical Unit (EMU) that will operate from Jan. 20 to 21, when the Mardi Gras is ongoing.
PRC Cebu will also be deploying rescue boats to “tail and sweep” with the galleon. EMTs with doctors will also be boarding the vessel of Roble Shipping Line that will be joining the fluvial procession.
They noted that as of Jan. 18, the PRC has catered to a total of 886 individuals or patients by deploying first aid stations with welfare desks, on-foot patrols, and ambulances.
The chief further congratulated the staff and volunteers who helped in preparation and who will be on station for the week-long Sinulog and other festivals like Dinagyang and Ati Atihan.