Press Release
May 23, 2008

GMA PRAISES RED CROSS RESPONSE TO TROPICAL STORM COSME IN PANGASINAN

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo commended the Philippine National Red Cross for its swift emergency response to the needs of Dagupan City in Pangasinan during the height of tropical storm Cosme. President Arroyo extended her congratulations to the PNRC during the National Disaster Coordinating Council meeting in Lingayen, Pangasinan on Friday.

PNRC Chairman and Senator Richard J. Gordon is grateful for the appreciation and said the Red Cross always gives its best to be "always first, always ready and always there" to help victims during disasters. Gordon is currently in Geneva , attending the regular meeting of the Governing Board of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Despite being thousands of miles away at the height of tropical storm Cosme, Gordon was always on the phone directing and supervising efforts of the national headquarters of the PNRC and the Pangasinan Red Cross Chapter, making sure that efforts to help victims are being conducting in an efficient, prompt and focused manner.

Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez reported to the President that many lives in baranggays Lasit Chico and Malued were saved when the PNRC through the Pangasinan Red Cross Chapter installed two water tank bladders as part of water sanitation efforts.

The PNRC water tank bladdders store up to 10,000 liters of water each and allow users to chlorinate and sanitize the water to make it safe for human consumption. Gordon ordered the PNRC and Pangasinan Red Cross Chapter to install the water tank bladders after receiving reports that the water in the two barangays had been contaminated, causing health problems for the residents.

"The PNRC aims to mitigate the effects of disasters and protect human life during and especially after a disaster. The situation of the residents of Lasit Chico and Malued are clear examples of disaster mitigation. The residents already suffered the effects of the storm but they faced an additional threat in the form of contaminated water sources. The water sanitation facilities sent by the PNRC greatly reduced the potential injury and prevented possible fatalities that could have resulted from the contaminated water," Gordon said in a statement from Geneva .

Gordon also commended the Red Cross 143 volunteers for their contribution to disaster management efforts during tropical storm Cosme.

"We witnessed the power of humanity through bayanihan and volunteerism in action. The life-saving actions of Red Cross 143 volunteers validate and prove the importance of taking disaster management to the grassroots level. The Red Cross 143 volunteers in the localities struck by tropical storm Cosme not only prevented greater loss of life but also allows for quicker recovery and rehabilitation of affected communities," Gordon added.

News Latest News Feed