CEBU, Philippines — Since 2013, Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said that the humanitarian organization has distributed at least P1 billion worth of emergency and recovery assistance in Cebu.
Speaking at a press conference during his visit to Cebu yesterday, Gordon, who has been at the helm of PRC's operations for two decades, said that PRC has built 8,741 houses, repaired 1,263 houses, provided livelihood to 8,854 families and released cash grants to 12,517 families in Cebu.
“Cebuanos are important to PRC, and to me. The assistance that PRC continues to extend to Cebu only shows our commitment to help the families affected by disasters,” said Gordon.
He recognized some Cebuano personalities – who are with PRC for several years – for helping Cebuanos and those in other areas during disasters.
Gordon acknowledged the massive assistance of Cebuano ship owner Joy Roble of Roble Shipping Lines for bringing in goods, especially during typhoons and earthquakes, to far-flung areas free of charge. Roble is a governor of PRC.
Gordon said that the assistance reflects PRC's commitment to Cebu.
"The services we give to Filipinos extend beyond response and relief. We support communities in the recovery and rehabilitation stage as well," said Gordon.
In a statement, Gordon said it is important that the projects have continuity in order to empower the affected families to rise from the ravages of disasters.
“I asked the Red Cross National Societies and other donors to support the relief efforts as well as the post-disaster development projects in Cebu," he said adding, “maraming nagtitiwala sa Red Cross kasi transparent tayo. We really have evidence na ipinapakita sa mga donors kung saan napunta yung donations nila.”
He said this while a video of houses built in areas affected by the several typhoons that hit Cebu was being presented.
The PRC initiatives include the implementation of community disaster risk reduction efforts, sustainable and resilient pro-poor water supply programs, and Haiyan-related recovery projects, and livelihood programs.
Since disasters are inevitable, Gordon urged everyone to be resilient.
“Our priorities in the recovery phase must be redirected towards making communities resilient and adaptable to hazards, especially as we observe the Disaster Resilience Month this July," he said.
The former senator said that there is now an ongoing construction of full shelter for 70 households relocated in Barangay Poblacion, Alegria, Cebu. The site also has water treatment plant and latrines.
Furthermore, PRC has recently provided livelihood assistance for 500 families in Alcoy, Badian and Alegria as part of its Typhoon Odette operations.
Gordon added that there is also a plan of one LGU in Cebu to donate 1,000 square meters of land to the Philippine Red Cross expansion program in Cebu.
“We are now planning to buy a plane for Red Cross,” said Gordon on the future plan of the humanitarian organization.
During his visit, Gordon was joined also by former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and wife, former Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña, Carcar City Mayor Patrick Barcenas, former Cordova Mayor Teche Sitoy-Cho, among others.
HEARTH DISEASES
Meanwhile, Philippine Heart Association National President Dr. Ronald Cuyco, in his visit to Cebu for the oathtaking of new cardiologists, said that that sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating are among the reasons why Filipino people suffered heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases.
Cuyco, in an interview after the oathtaking of new members of the association in Cebu, said that heart attack and other cardio vascular diseases remained as the number killer disease in the country even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cuyco said that smoking whether cigarette or vape remains a risk factor of developing heart disease, which strikes at any age.
“Prevention is still better than cure,” Cuyco said contending that heart disease is far more expensive than maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating health food and doing some physical activities.
“Dili man tingali mahal ang utanon. Besides walking for at least 30 minutes per does not cause that much,” Cuyco said, adding doing an hour of Zumba fitness is also a fun way to be physically active.
Cuyco added that they are now pushing for bill which would require big establishments like hotels and resorts or even in public place to have an automated external defibrillator, which has been proven to save many lives in cases of heart attack.
He said that PHA is pushing for the approval of this “life-saving measure,” which as of now still being deliberated.
“We really hope and we really push for the passage of this proposed bill because it would mean saving a lot of lives especially those who suffer sudden heart attack,” Cuyco added.
He also emphasized the importance of having a first aider in a family, a reason why every Filipino should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR that can help save a life during cardiac arrest.
“During a heart attack when the heart have irregular heartbeat, if somebody knows how to do CPR, there is a great chance that the person having an attack will survive,” Cuyco further said. — (FREEMAN)