Red Cross center eyed in every barangay

CEBU, Philippines – “Having a Red Cross center in every barangay throughout the country is one way of keeping in touch in every barangay in the event of disaster or calamity occurs,” said Sen. Richard Gordon, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).Earlier, Gordon revealed his plan to open a Red Cross center in every barangay in the Philippines as it will become a quick response mechanism that will send immediate report to PNRC.

According to him, the Red Cross center in the barangays will report on things such as preventive measures to be undertaken by the community in times of emergency, the extent of the damage, the kind of assistance that will be extended and the immediate actions as a response in times of calamity or disaster to the PNRC’s national headquarters. This can be done effectively and efficiently with the aid of cell phone and other modern digital communication facilities which can immediately transmit reports and information across the country in just seconds, Gordon said.The PNRC chairman further said that the Red Cross center in a barangay will be manned by a leader and about 43 to 44 volunteers.” These volunteers will serve as eyes and ears of PNRC in the community or at the grassroots level relative to the quick action responses that will be made in times of calamity or disaster,” he added.

Gordon told several stories of the quick responses made by PNRC to communities in the country affected by disaster or calamity through their volunteers. However, he said that their volunteers in the field are not enough to cover the entire country at present especially in remote barangays where there are no Red Cross volunteers. “The country needs it,” said Senator Gordon, referring to the relevance and importance of opening a Red Cross center in every barangay all over the country. — Johanna T. Natavio/WAB (THE FREEMAN)