BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/13 June) – The Philippines Red Cross (PRC) turned over some P5 million in rescue equipment and first aid kits to 12 barangays in Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur.
Barangays Tayaga, Magallanes, Urbiztondo, Tagbuyawan, Mansayao, and Quezon in Claver town in Surigao del Norte, and barangays Nueva Era, Mambalili, San Marcos, Langag, Hawilian, and Guadalupe in Prosperidad town in Agusan del Sur received the equipment during the weekend.
PRC Chair Richard J. Gordon said the turnover is part of the five-year community capability building project in partnership with Netherlands Red Cross, with a total fund of P75.6 million.
He said that aside from the 12 barangays in Caraga Region, Valenzuela and Bulacan will also benefit from the project.
He was optimist that the project would lessen difficulties as well as casualties during disasters.
“We are on the top five of the most disaster-prone countries. In this era of just one time, on time, all the time information we need to know what is really happening on the ground. We need volunteers who would be trained and prepared in assessing the risk, report right away and provide immediate first aid support to our community,” Gordon said.
The PRC chair pointed out the need to be fully prepared in case disaster would strike.
“In disaster preparedness we have the four P’s. We need to predict, plan, prepare and then practice to always be at our best in facing such situation. And with all the disasters that’s been hitting our nation, we need all the volunteers and train them with the right equipment…we need to teach our people to survive, and to stop the cycle of disaster and poverty,” he said.
The rescue and first aid equipment includes pick mattocks, raincoats, medical supplies, trauma jump kits, whistle, search lights, megaphones, and AM/DM Pensonic radios.
PRC said the five-year community project also includes mitigation, training on disaster management, first aid and basic life support, disaster preparedness in schools, community emergency drills, livelihood support, development of information, educational materials and capacity building for chapters and project staff. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)