Philippine Red Cross

Red Cross opens more blood stations; renews call for voluntary blood donation

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on June 14, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) solidifies its commitment to deliver safe, quality, and adequate blood supply to Filipinos as it launched more blood service facilities outside Metro Manila.

In line with the celebration of the 2019 World Blood Donors Day (WBDD), PRC Chairman Richard Gordon announced that the organization opened new blood collection units/blood stations in Albay, Bogo, Mountain Province, and Calamba.

This year’s WBDD celebration carries the theme “Safe Blood for All,” a call to expand access to safe and quality blood and the crucial role of voluntary blood donation in the Universal Health Care.

“In PRC, we aim to create more blood banks and blood centers for accessibility of blood supply. We want to reach the most vulnerable communities in the rural areas in our country to ensure that there is SAFE BLOOD FOR ALL,” Gordon said in a press conference last June 10.

The humanitarian organization currently has 93 blood service facilities, including 27 blood centers, 66 blood collecting units/blood stations, and 11 apheresis centers.

This year, PRC eyes new blood facilities in San Carlos in Pangasinan, San Rafael and Bocaue in Bulacan, Imus and Bacoor in Cavite, and Romblon.

PRC appeals to the public to help save lives by regularly donating blood.

“Mahalaga ang ating mga blood donors. Everyone should try and encourage everyone to donate blood dahil araw-araw ay libu-libong tao ang nangangailangan ng dugo sa buong bansa. Everyday should be World Blood Donor’s Day,” Gordon said.

PRC, as a major provider of blood needs in the country, served a total of 205,772 individuals in 2018.

PRC’s National Blood Center also earned the international standard on quality management systems (ISO 9001:2015, making PRC the first blood center in Southeast Asia and the only non-hospital blood service facility in the Philippines to receive the certification.

Gordon, PRC raise alarm over rising HIV cases in PH

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on June 11, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon raises alarm over the rising cases of HIV this year—noting that lack of action may affect the supply of quality blood products in the country.

The Department of Health (DOH) recently reported that 38 new cases of HIV were recorded on a daily basis in 2019, a significant rise from the 32-per-day rate in 2018.

“I personally receive calls from people from different provinces, most of them crying and appealing for blood and we strive to meet their needs. If the number of HIV cases continues to rise, our country’s blood supply could be affected,” Gordon said.

This year, PRC is integrating a nucleic acid test (NAT) to its system to allow accurate and more sensitive detection of HIV contraction among applicant donors.

Gordon said PRC prioritizes the integration of NAT into its blood testing system in its blood service facilities in the National Capital Region, where 30 percent of the new cases were registered.

“NAT testing will reduce the Filipino population’s exposure to HIV. We should take action. Let us intensify our HIV prevention campaign through peer education,” Gordon said.

DOH’s latest HIV/AIDS Registry shows that in March alone, there were 1,172 new cases reported, with 215 of them in advanced stage or AIDS. The figure brings the total number of cases this year to 3,434.

Gordon made the statement in line with the celebration of the 2019 World Blood Donors’ Day with the theme “Safe Blood for All,” a call to solidify access to safe and quality blood supply.

PRC now has 93 blood service facilities, including 27 blood centers, 66 blood collecting units/blood stations, and 11 apheresis centers.

The organization recently established blood facilities in Albay, Bogo, Mountain Province, and Calamba. PRC is also eyeing new blood stations in San Carlos, Pangasinan; San Rafael, Bulacan; Bocaue, Bulacan; Imus, Cavite; Bacoor, Cavite; and Romblon.

PRC, as one of the top providers of blood needs in the country, served a total of 205,772 individuals last year.

PRC’s National Blood Center also earned the international standard on quality management systems (ISO 9001:2015, making PRC the first blood center in Southeast Asia and the only non-hospital blood service facility in the Philippines to receive the certification.

Nearly 500 families in Cagayan to get up to P15,000-cash assistance from Red Cross

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on June 10, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is set to revisit the municipality of Baggao in Cagayan Province to grant agricultural and livelihood assistance to 493 families affected by the destruction brought by Typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong).

PRC will return to Cagayan on June 14 to lead the distribution of up to P10,000 household livelihood assistance to 436 families and P15,000 household agricultural assistance to 57 families from Baggao, where Mangkhut made landfall in September 2018.

“We continue to live by our motto—when the world no longer watches, we do what must be done. The Red Cross does not settle for providing the needs of the people. We aim to transform lives. This is why we want to enable them to start anew,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said.

Cagayan Province is the worst hit by Typhoon Ompong. Data from the PRC Operations Center show 132,074 houses were fully or partially damaged—with over 15,912 individuals displaced during the onslaught of the typhoon.

The province also suffered at least P4.4 billion in agricultural damages as 100 percent of corn crops and 64 percent of rice products were lost.

“When we visited Baggao last year, we witnessed how devastated the people were. We saw houses with blown roofs and damaged crops. This motivated us to continue working on the situation,” he added.

In partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the recovery program targets farmers with less than one hectare of cultivable land, as well as farm laborers and households who belong under the social vulnerability criteria.

For the first installment of the program, PRC will provide P6,000 to livelihood grantees and P8,000 for the agricultural beneficiaries. The full amount will be given once the monitoring is completed.

Last September, Gordon led the distribution of CGI sheets and shelter toolkits to 393 households from Baggao and basic household items to 355 families from Gattaran.

Since then, PRC has provided as much as P15,000-livelihood assistance to 893 families in Cagayan and as much as P54,000 cash assistance to 181 families whose houses were fully damaged.

ICRC President: Gordon, PRC are reputational pride in humanitarian world

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on June 6, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The president of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) hailed Sen. Richard Gordon for upholding humanitarian principles in his concurrent capacities as the chairman of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and as a senator of the Philippines.

Peter Maurer, who visited the country last June 3 to 4, described Gordon as an “advocate of the Red Cross principles” and “an enabling politician” who design legislations that are compatible with the International Humanitarian Law.

“Richard, whenever we discuss, you always highlight that when you are a Red Cross, you are a Red Cross. When you are a senator, you are a senator. I like both of them,” Maurer said. “To have a Red Cross chairman in the legislative body of such an important country like the Philippines is a great asset. And I wanted to thank you wholeheartedly, Richard, for leading this way.”

Maurer lauded the Gordon-sponsored Community Service Act, which allows courts to sentence offenders with community work instead of serving jail time if the offense is punishable by arresto menor and arresto mayor.

The proposed Community Service Act that recently passed the third and final Senate reading compliments ICRC’s call to secure a humane, safe, and healthy environment for detainees as it will address decongestions in jails.

Gordon earlier said the measure will address humanitarian crisis posed by jail congestions, such as improper hygiene, overcrowding, lack of sufficient sanitary facilities, and detainees’ vulnerability to communicable diseases.

Maurer also extolled Gordon’s effort to promote the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s bid to eradicate mass destruction when he authored a resolution to support the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s call to eliminate nuclear weapons.

He also praised Gordon for effectively leading PRC, which he considers as a “reputational pride” in the Movement.

“We are deeply convinced that there are National Societies which are simply outstanding and I think you are an outstanding national society. In operational response, in what you have done in developing. We are very proud to be your partner: to fill in the gaps, to learn from you, and to drive this movement forward,” Maurer said.

Last June 3, Maurer and Gordon held an official visit Marawi to express solidarity with the survivors of the firefights in 2017.

“When we visited the ground-zero in Marawi, we were overwhelmed by the resiliency that the Maranaos showed us. Ito ang fighting spirit na gusto nating ibahagi sa mundo: PAG-ASA AT PAGKAKAISA,” Gordon said.

Gordon on Red Cross’ Marawi operations: ‘We are not into handouts’

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on June 4, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reaffirmed its commitment to boost the recovery efforts for people displaced by the 2017 conflict in Marawi by providing access to income-generating activities.

In a field visit last June 3, PRC Chairman Richard Gordon announced that the organization will provide sewing machines to over a hundred affected households as an effort to restore livelihood sources.

“The Red Cross is not just about deploying medical tents and providing relief. We are not a handout society. The Red Cross is an organization that enables. This is why it is important that we help people restore their livelihood sources,” Gordon said.

This statement was echoed by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer, who is in the country for an official mission, noting that the organization will also continue to address humanitarian concerns of people affected by conflicts.

“Just like Chairman Gordon, I believe in the importance of empowering people and helping people help themselves. This is a philosophy that we both strongly adhere to. We will continue to do so until the parents can go back to work and the children can go back to school,” Maurer said.

Since day one of the Marawi siege, PRC has been closely working with ICRC to assist the affected communities from relief to recovery.

The joint early recovery operations provided livelihood and shelter repair assistance for a total of 6,014 families from the most affected areas, including over 2,000 returnees who used the P10,000-cash grant to start small businesses.

In Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, the PRC conducted hygiene-promotion activities and mobilized a network of volunteers to support the ICRC’s improvement of a water and sanitation facility that would benefit between 6,000 to 11,000 residents and displaced people.

PRC and ICRC will continue recovery efforts until the people get back on their feet.

PRC reminds public to prepare ahead of rainy season

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on June 2, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) braces for the rainy season as it welcomes the month of June.

True to its mantra “Logistics + Volunteers + Information Technology= a Red Cross that is Always First, Always Ready, Always There,” the PRC is all set to respond to any emergency that may arise due to heavy rains and floods.

PRC advises the public to uphold the organization’s 4Ps—Predict, Plan, Prepare and Practice.

“We urge the public to be more cautious this rainy season. The Philippines sits across the typhoon belt making it prone to powerful storms. We should always be prepared. Everyone should have a 72-hour safety kit which contains food, water, emergency tools, medicines, money and important documents,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said.

“We should also maintain proper hygiene and sanitation to avoid acquiring common diseases during this season such as leptospirosis, dengue fever, cholera, sore eyes, diarrhea, colds and flu,” Gordon added.

The PRC 143 volunteers in every barangay regularly conducts an evacuation drill to make sure that every person in the community is safe from different calamities they might encounter during rainy season. Flashfloods, landslides, and accidents due to fallen trees and huge billboards are possible during this time.

PRC’s response and rescue equipment are strategically positioned for quick response. PRC’s warehouses are also well-stocked with food and basic household items in anticipation of relief operations.

All PRC volunteers are reminded to practice 4 R’s- report, record, respond and recognize.

For emergencies, contact our 24/7 Operations Center. Dial 143 or 790-23-00 for assistance.

Assets to mobilize:

2000 staff and volunteers

150 ambulances

9 Hotmeals on Wheels

55 Rescue boats

5 Rescue trucks

101 Generator sets and tower lights

7 Payloaders

8 six by six trucks

2 Amphibians

Red Cross’ Marawi recovery program in full effect; aids 6,000 families

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on May 22, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

TWO YEARS after the Marawi siege, the early recovery program of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has enabled over 6,000 displaced families to build new homes and start income-generating activities.

The P30.1-million project, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), covered household livelihood and shelter repair assistance for a total of 6,014 families from the most affected areas.

“When we help, we don’t just give. It is important that we also empower. When we visited the people of Marawi in 2017, we told them ‘Babangon tayo’ and we remained committed to this mission. Two years after the siege, this commitment has shown results,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said.

A total of 2,307 returnees to 16 barangays received P10,000-household livelihood assistance from PRC and ICRC.

PRC’s Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) report shows the majority of the beneficiaries used the capital for small businesses, such as sari-sari stores, retail shops, and eateries. Others ventured into transportation (tricycle, habal-habal), construction and carpentry, fishing, farming, and casual labor.

The PDM report also shows that 98 percent of the household livelihood assistance recipients’ main income source came from the Red Cross.

The Red Cross also distributed shelter toolkits to 3,792 families, inclusive of 1,385 families from 11 evacuation centers in Lanao Del Sur and Lanao Del Norte and 2,407 households from three Kambalingan barangays.

The shelter materials were used to repair roofs and walls, as well as to expand their houses for livelihood activities.

“We also established our Red Cross 143 program for community volunteers to help us respond to disasters and emergencies quickly. This is how we attain resilience,” Gordon added.

PRC also continues to provide safe and clean water to communities in evacuation centers. Since 2017, 29,514,700 liters of water have been served in 26 barangays and evacuation centers.

In December 2017, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur recognized the Red Cross for being one of the first to provide humanitarian assistance.

When the conflict broke out on May 23, 2017, Gordon mobilized the staff and volunteers from the nearby PRC Chapters and immediately deployed first aid, welfare, relief, and hygiene promotion teams.

PRC, with the support of ICRC, also set up a basic healthcare unit to ensure the health of evacuees.

PRC aids nearly 13,000 during election day

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on May 16, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) brought aid to a total of 12,766 individuals during the National and Local Elections, including those who needed to be transported due to fainting and suspected stroke.

PRC set up 310 first aid stations and 158 welfare desks, which helped ensure the safety and well-being of thousands of Filipino voters.

“To vote is one of the duties of each and every Filipino. To serve the people is the duty of the Philippine Red Cross staff and volunteers. As our fellow Filipinos were busy casting their votes, PRC staff and volunteers were also very much occupied attending to the needs of our fellowmen. Our staff and volunteers have intense compassion to the most vulnerable,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said.

A total of 2,000 staff and volunteers were deployed, while 150 ambulances were mobilized and put on standby.

Throughout the day, PRC provided blood pressure monitoring to 12,535 persons to ensure their well-being following the long queues at voting precincts.

Staff and volunteers provided first aid to 132 patients who experienced minor cases, such as dizziness, abrasion, open wound, fever, cramps, burns, hyperventilation and body weakness.

A total of 19 persons were treated for breathing difficulties, seizure, numbness, and blurred vision, while nine patients were transported to hospitals for additional medical care.

PRC also setup welfare desks, which provided psychosocial support and referral service to 65 people and provided wheelchair assistance to six voters.

In San Juan, a PRC volunteer carries a 96-year-old voter up to the third floor in San Juan Elementary School.

In Baguio, in a non-election related incident, PRC together with Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) rescued and provided first aid treatment to a patient who suffered chemical inhalation and suffocation while painting a water tank. He was then transported to the nearest hospital for further medical attention.

The Philippine Red Cross is noted for excellence in giving first aid treatment and providing blood. It is equally noted for excellence in disaster relief, psychosocial and other humanitarian services. It is the foremost humanitarian organization in the country. All this is in keeping with its mantra: Volunteers + logistics + information technology = always first, always ready, always there.

Summary of Assistance:

Total patients catered: 2019: 12,766 persons

Total patients catered: 2016: 11,817 persons

Breakdown as follows: Blood pressure monitoring –12,535 persons Transported to medical facilities – 9 persons (fainting, suspected stroke, stomach pain) Major case- 19 persons (elevated blood pressure, difficulty of breathing, seizure, numbness, blurred vision)

Minor case- 132 persons (dizziness, abrasion, open wound, fever, cramps, burns, hyperventilation, body weakness) Welfare- 71 persons (55 Psychosocial support, 10 referral, 6 wheelchair assistance)

Assets deployed:

150 ambulances

158 welfare desks

310 first aid stations

42 emergency vehicles

PRC all set for 2019 National and Local Elections

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on May 10, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will mobilize 150 ambulances and 2000 staff and volunteers all over the country for the 2019 National and local midterm elections in pursuit of its objective to safeguard its countrymen.

“We want to make sure that each and every citizen of the Philippines is safe and sound while exercising their right to vote. To secure their well-being, we will put up first aid stations, welfare desks, emergency vehicles and mobile units (roving teams) in schools and local chapters duty during the election day. In PRC our mantra is volunteers + logistics + information technology = always first, always ready, always there. PRC is committed in providing services for the interest of mankind,” said Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman and CEO of PRC.

The Philippine Red Cross will set up 310 first aid stations and 158 welfare desks, will deploy and standby 150 ambulances and 42 emergency vehicles in strategic areas.

PRC assisted more than 11,000 people during the 2016 National Election.

Philippine Red Cross stands as a “voluntary, independent and autonomous non-governmental society auxiliary to the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in the humanitarian field.”

Since its founding 72 years ago, PRC has been serving humanity. The organization provides services in the areas of disaster management, blood collection and dispensing, welfare, safety, health and hygiene. It also maintains a corps of volunteers and trained youth.

For emergency and any untoward incidents, contact our 24/7 Operations Center. Dial 143 or 790-23-00 for assistance.

Gordon, Red Cross brace for new services; Honors humanitarian partners

Written by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on May 10, 2019. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is exploring new programs and services to address the humanitarian challenges in the country, especially in the area of health.

Chairman Richard Gordon revealed plans to enhance its newly opened Dialysis Center to accommodate more patients.

“We are planning on strengthening our Dialysis Center so more poor Filipinos can acquire affordable and adequate dialysis treatments,” Gordon said.

He added that the Red Cross is also looking at opening a diagnostics center to provide access to quality healthcare to the poor.

“Ito ay para makakuha ng diagnostics services ang mga mahihirap gaya ng CT scan at ICU. We got into different services because the humanitarian challenges in this country require us to be dynamic. This is why we opened our first Dialysis Center because it is hard to say no to the most vulnerable,” Gordon said.

As of today, the Dialysis Center, which had its soft opening last February, has now provided 14 patients with 350 dialysis treatments.

Gordon made the statement during the joint celebration of the 72nd anniversary of PRC and the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, where the organization recognized its partners for their contribution to the organization’s services.

The Silver Humanitarian Service Cross Award is given to Chinese General Hospital President and PRC Governor James Dy for consistently supporting the organization’s programs in on various occasions.

During the measles outbreak when Metro Manila hospitals were badly in need of space for patient care, PRC set up field medical units using beds and mattresses donated by Governor James Dy.

The Aurora Aragon Quezon Medal Award, which was named after the first chairman of PRC, was awarded to former President Fidel V. Ramos; Michael Chen, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Minavida de Mindanao Corporation; Clement Yang, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Medtecs International Corporation Ltd.; and Vicente Cuevas III, president of CAMJ Construction Inc.

Ramos was given recognition for actively promoting voluntary blood donation including his own regular donation. Through his pronouncements, he helped ensure adequate blood supply in the country. Cheng and Cuevas provided aircraft services to enable PRC to deliver timely services during disasters and emergencies, while Yang provided linens for the organization’s measles crisis operations, as well as body bags which made management of the remains of those who perished in the aftermath of Yolanda more humane.

“No person was ever honored for what he received, but for what he gives,” said Dy, quoting Calvin Coolidge as he shared his experience and inspiration in doing humanitarian work with for PRC. “I would like to thank Gordon for bringing me here to PRC. Thank you for your trust.”

During the occasion, PRC also recognized over 400 staff members and officers who have served the organization for five to 42 years.

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