PRC distributes household items to 500 Habagat-hit families in Calasiao
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- Philippine Red Cross
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THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reaffirmed its commitment to provide end-to-end support to communities affected by disasters and calamities as it distributed household items to 500 families hit by Habagat-induced flooding in Calasiao, Pangasinan last August 9.
PRC Chairman Richard Gordon, who led the distribution at the Songkoy Elementary School, said the basic household items, which include hygiene kits, sleeping kits and jerry cans, can help the Habagat survivors start anew after being displaced by heavy flooding due to Tropical Depression Josie and monsoon rains last month.
“PRC was first to provide rescue assistance and relief itemsafter Tropical Depression Josie. Now, we are giving them these household items to help them recover and start their lives again with dignity,” Gordon said.
PRC partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to distribute the household kits.
Brgy. Songkoywas amongthe most hardly hit areas in Pangasinan due to the overflowing of theMarusay and Sinucalan rivers.
The PRC Chairman also urged the survivors to start disaster resilience within their own households by practicing PRC’s “4Ps” formula—predict, plan, prepare, and practice.
“Nakahandaang Red Cross natumulongsaanumangpangangailan. Pero kailangangmagtulungantayo para mai-angatangbuhay ng mganahihirapan. We must be prepared at all times to save the lives of our loved ones,”Gordon added.
The event was graced by IFRC Head of Delegation Chris Staines and Operations and Programs Manager Patrick Elliot, Disaster Management Service Officer-in-Charge Ana Mariquina, Water Sanitation and Hygiene Manager Brian Enriquez, PRC Pangasinan Chapter staff and volunteers led by Chapter Chairman Maybelyn Fernandez and Chapter Administrator Florame Sanchez, as well asCalasiao Mayor Armand Bauzon, Vice Mayor Mahadeva Das Mesina, Songkoy Elementary School Principal DignaBauzon, and guests from the Calasiao Local Government Unit.
Aside from Calasiao, PRC Pangasinan Chapter has also distributed non-food items to 1,000 families in Dagupan City and Sta. Barbara. PRC also installed portalets at Dagupan Astrodome and Calasiao Sports Center, which served as evacuation centers during Tropical Depression Josie’s onslaught.