26.4 C
Batangas

PRC constructs Tent City, distributes hygiene kits

Must read

- Advertisement -

By JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

IBAAN, Batangas — “WE can only do this big, with your cooperation. Sabi nga, nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. So what we have to do is rise up, and volunteer, and we will succeed.”

Thus, Senator Richard Gordon, the chairman and CEO of Philippine Red Cross quips as he ushered the opening of the Tent City that the PRC constructs in partnership with the Provincial Government of Batangas in Barangay Malainin, Ibaan town, Saturday afternoon.

“With these family tents, our evacuees can sleep with privacy. Although we will also have to set up community kitchen for orderly cooking of their food or Rubb halls which will serve as their dining areas,” Gordon further said as he inspects the tents with Batangas Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas.

Earlier, Gordon, said the PRC will go along with Mandanas’ plan to set up these tent cities where evacuees can stay until they can move back to their own homes.

Now, 48 of the 56 family tents are ready for occupancy at the grounds of the newly constructed Batangas Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (BPDRC) which temporarily serves as Batangas Magiting Interim Evacuation Center. Each family tent stands on a well-leveled grounds, the floor lining of which has half-inch thick plywood to keep away from moist and morning dews from seeping in. The windows have woven nets to prevent insects from coming in while allows the air to freely enter. There are also ante-room area and provisions for storage at the rear area.

There is ample lighting inside the tent as the Provincial Engineer’s Office installed electric light system.

Batangas Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas checks the lighting system as Senator Dick Gordon, Mayor Joy Salvame of Ibaan, Mayor Ben Patron of San Jose and Vice Governor Mark Leviste look on.|Photo by JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

At least 67 families also received hygiene kits. Each kit includes 12 bath and laundry soaps, five toothbrushes and toothpaste, two (2) big and four (4) small towels, six (6) bathroom tissues, two (2) blankets, two (2) sleeping mats, two (2) foldable water container, and a tarpaulin big enough to cover the whole tent roofing during heavy rains.

Among those who received the kits and to be sheltered in the tents are the families from the barangays around Taal Lake whose house are either partially or totally damaged and are currently occupying the  BPDRC building.

Evacuues thank Senator Dick Gordon for the hygiene kits that the Philippine Red Cross has distributed to them.|Photo by JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

Governor Mandanas has to cancel his meeting in Manila to personally thank Chairman Gordon and the International Red Cross delegates.

“We are very indebted to the compassion and continuous help of the Philippine Red Cross and its international partners in this relief and rehabilitation effort for our victims of Taal Volcano eruption. The Red Cross has helped us much,” the governor said.

Joining the governor is Vice Governor Mark Leviste II, the department heads of the provincial government of Batangas, Ibaan mayor Joy Salvame, League of Mayors of the Philippines (LMP)-Batangas Chapter president and San Jose mayor Ben Patron, and the PRC-Batangas Chapter headed by its administrator Ronald Generoso.

Commitment

According to Gordon, there are already national societies committed to provide funding for the rehabilitation phase. This includes rehabilitating or building damaged houses, schools, and other buildings; providing livelihood, and distributing cash grants.

“We are already coordinating with our partner national societies to ensure that, like how we worked in Yolanda,” he said.

Acknowledging the presence of the representatives of the Finnish Red Cross, the Spanich Red Cross, the Irish Red Cross and other societies, Gordon said much have to be done for the evacuees.

Earlier, the senator said that he is proposing to use portion of the money that Spanish Red Cross and German Red Cross will donate to build houses.

Foreign aid

After the Phivolcs raised the alert status of Taal Volcano on January 12, the PRC immediately responded and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies then followed.

Said FRC then initially allocated the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of CHF 259,993 which was later on increased to CHF 498,602. The Spanish Red Cross is supporting the operation with funding received from ECHO, which complements the funding provided through the DREF.

Relief efforts include distribution of hygiene kits, provision for shelter and livelihood assistance, among others.

The major donors and partners of the DREF include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, German, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as DG ECHO and Blizzard Entertainment, Mondelez International Foundation, and Fortive Corporation and other corporate and private donors.

Meanwhile, also last month, the Republic of Korea channels through the Philippine Red Cross its relief assistance to Taal eruption victims.

“The government of the Republic of Korea has decided to provide $200,000 (around P10-million) in humanitarian assistance through the Philippine Red Cross to help about 45,000 people displaced by the eruption of the Philippines’ Taal Volcano that began on January 12,” Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

It added: “The assistance is expected to contribute to the stabilization of the lives of the displaced people by providing relief supplies in a speedy manner to people staying at shelters due to the volcanic eruption.”

South Korea has been providing assistance to the Philippines during times of disasters and natural calamities.

Also, exactly a month ago, the Singapore Red Cross Society (SRC) come to the aid of the PRC.

“Responding to the magmatic eruption of Taal Volcano that has affected large sections of Batangas Province and nearby areas in the Philippines, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) will, in the first instance, contribute US$50,000 (S$67,400) towards the humanitarian relief efforts,” SRC statement said.

“The SRC will also launch a public fundraising appeal, and SRC’s contribution and all donations raised will go towards supporting relief and recovery operations mounted by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC),” it added.|- BALIKAS News Network

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

More articles

HOLD your horses! Corrida de Cavalos Cidade de Calaca once again ignites the interest of horse enthusiasts and devotees of Saint Raphael the Archangel. On March 27, 2024, Holy Wednesday, the city will hold its Festival of Horses at...
IBAAN, Batangas — KASABAY ng matunog na palakpakan na may kasamang sigawan ay tinanggap ng Maximo T. Hernandez Memorial Integrated High School ang tumataginting na P100,000.00 premyo bilang bagong kampeon sa mas pinakinang na Les Kuliembo Court Dance Competition...
Unmasked: An exhibit of photos from the field by Howie Severino and Atom Araullo I-Witness documentarists Howie Severino and Atom Araullo will share a selection of what they’ve seen in many years of coverage in a series of photo exhibits in...
- Advertisement -

Latest article

- Advertisement -