Phil Red Cross chief visits CamSur towns

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman, Sen. Richard Gordon recently led a humanitarian team in giving shelter assistance and other aids to more than 300 families ravaged and devastated by three succeeding typhoons that hit Camarines Sur.

Gordon was accompanied by PRC Disaster Management Services Director Leonardo Ebajo. They were welcomed at the Pili Airport on Dec. 5 by PRC Board of Directors Vice Chairman Lito Del Rosario, Asst. Treasurer Mely De Guzman and Milaor Mayor Anthony Reyes.

The successive typhoons wrecked numerous houses in Camarines Sur particularly those situated in coastal and vulnerable areas.

CASH GRANT. Sen. Richard Gordon watches as one of the recipients of the Philippine Red Cross P3,500 cash grant counts the money during the awarding ceremony in San Rafael, Tigaon. Behind Gordon is PRC Camarines Sur Chapter Direcor Ed G. Yu.

Gordon said he knew that the economic setback will have a huge impact on the lives of the affected families, thus the PRC decided to conduct an immediate effort to uplift their current condition and extend assistance to the affected population.

Gordon’s first stop was in Calabaga town where they were warmly welcomed by Mayor Ed Severo, Calabanga chief of police Major Jonnel Averilla, CBSUA Calabanga Campus administrator Helen Madela, Sto. Domingo Punong Barangay Jessica Prevosa, and PRC-Camarines Sur member DepEd Senior Education Program Specialist Adrian Año.

Sixty-one families from Barangay Sto. Domingo whose houses were totally damaged were given 10 galvanized iron sheets and 1 set of Shelter Tool Kits (STK) each, The kits will be used by the affected families to rebuild or hasten the repair of their houses.

In Barngay Balongay, Calabanga, 110 families whose houses were declared partially damaged received non-food items like jerry cans, sleeping kits, and tarpaulins.

From Calabanga, Gordon and company proceeded to Tigaon town where they were welcomed by Mayor Pamela Rinah Fuentebella, 4th District Board Members Awel Llaguno and JJ Pilapil, and PRC Director Ed Yu.

Two hundred families from Barangays San Felipe, Salvacion and Tinawagan received Multi-Purpose Cash Grant of P3,500.00 each.

The simple ceremony was held at San Rafael Sports Complex in Tigaon, Camarines Sur.

Gordon said that the cash assistance will help the affected families in their recovery, particularly after incurring loss in their livelihood and help them start anew.

The PRC chairman also extended his gratitude to all the members of 143 in every municipality and barangays. He said that 143 members/ volunteers were the ones helping in the dissemination of disaster information. Their active presence has helped the community in preparing for disaster.

“Red Cross 143 means 1 leader plus 43 members in every organization or community to mobilize the power of humanity. In the Philippine Red Cross, we have devised the four Ps: predict, plan, prepare, and practice. The 44 volunteers of Red Cross 143 in each barangay were trained to perform the four Ps in case of disasters or mass casualty incidents,” Gordon added.

PRC Camarines Sur Officer In Charge Clamrence Rodrigazo Abada thanked all those who made the activity a success. (PIAV/Camarines Sur)