The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has stepped up its programs and activities promoting disaster resilience as the country observes National Disaster Resilience Month this July.
On June 28, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 29, shifting the focus of the month-long event from disaster consciousness to disaster resilience.
With the onset of the typhoon season, PRC and all its chapters are on full alert and have intensified its recruitment and engagement of 143 volunteers—Red Cross 143 is one of the flagship programs of the PRC where one leader and 43 members in every barangay, school, and workplace serve as humanitarian arms of the organization. Through Red Cross 143 members, the program is now in full swing in promoting disaster risk reduction measures and strengthening the capacity of communities in coping with disasters.
“We need to plan ahead for every disaster. By making preparations to ensure effective and efficient responses, we help build resilient communities ready to face any disaster. Efficient volunteers, plus logistics, plus information technology, equals a more responsive and better Red Cross,” said PRC Chairman and senator Richard Gordon.
Besides its 143 volunteers, PRC has also activated its emergency response teams and vehicles, ready to take action at any moment a disaster strikes. To date, PRC has two amphibians, five 6×6 trucks, 16 rescue vehicles, eight humvees, seven payloaders, nine mobile kitchen trucks, 13 rub halls, 15 water tankers, 19 fire trucks, 29 wing vans, 136 ambulances, and 17 PRC warehouses prepositioned in various local areas.
PRC also continues to upgrade its operations center and information technology for fast dissemination of information in times of emergency.