The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is ramping up its rescue and relief operations to aid individuals affected by flooding in various areas in Luzon and Visayas due to heavy rains from the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi).
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon has instructed the national headquarters and its Chapters to mobilize its RC143 volunteers and staff to implement its preparedness measures, deploy its prepositioned equipment and vehicles, and ensure chapters operate in optimal capacity.
“We have been preparing our assets for intensified rains even prior to the entry of tropical storm Enteng. Our rescue boats, amphibians, ambulances, and water tankers have been deployed, with our trucks and payloaders on standby,” Gordon said.
“Our Welfare teams are also preparing our food trucks to serve hot meals in evacuation centers.”
“Our dedicated staff and volunteers in Mandaluyong and in our chapters are promptly responding to calls for rescue in flooded areas. Our Welfare teams are also preparing our food trucks to serve hot meals in evacuation centers,” he added.
The PRC has so far assisted and rescued 40 individuals in Camarines Sur (Naga City), 47 in Cavite, and 13 in Albay with the help of the local governments. A 6×6 RLW truck has been sent out to Marikina from the PRC headquarters to aid in operations. A humvee is also on its way to San Isidro, Rizal to augment the Rizal Chapter’s current capacity.
As of 3 p.m. on September 2, PRC units are assisting 4,534 families or 19,812 individuals in 72 evacuation centers (EC) in gravely hit areas in Metro Manila (Muntinlupa, Marikina, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Navotas, Taguig, Malabon, Pasig and Paranaque), Rizal and Cavite. Welfare teams have served 35 hot meals to stranded passengers at the Masbate City port.
“We laud our volunteers and staff, especially those who are braving the flood waters to rescue citizens, and those preparing hearty meals for displaced people in evacuation centers. We are on alert 24/7, but we are particularly monitoring the water dam levels, because if it rises, especially alongside the high tide, flooding will worsen,” Gordon added.
The PRC also continues to be on the lookout for growth in dengue and leptospirosis cases, with the Health and Blood services securing enough anti-leptospirosis medication (Doxycycline) for the chapters, and ensuring blood supplies are adequate.
“We strongly advise the public to avoid wading in flood waters.”
“We have seen an influx in dengue and leptospirosis in recent weeks, in part because of persistent rains. We expect an increase in the risk of leptospirosis transmission due to the floods. We strongly advise the public to avoid wading in flood waters, and contact their nearest health centers as soon as symptoms are felt,” PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast continuous heavy to intense rains until September 4 in many parts of Northern and Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol Region.
Waist- to chest-deep floods were reported in Las Pinas City and Rizal province, while ankle- to knee-deep flooding were seen in Naga City, Legazpi, Albay, Masbate, Paranaque, Malabon, Bulacan, Quezon City, Cavite, Marikina, Navotas, and Caloocan.
Malacanang has also suspended all government work and classes in all levels of public and private schools in Metro Manila.
