Editorial

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Humanitarian Services of PRC

“Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Humanitarian Services” was discussed in the Kapihan on Saturday, August 17, 2013. Ms. Arcely P. Pelayo, Chapter Administrator, Ms. Melanie R. Rojo, Service Representative for Blood Services, Ms. Mary Joe B. Galeon, Service Representative for Youth, Mr. Larrence T. Cadunggan, Project Coordinator Community-based Disaster Reduction Program and Mr. Errol R. Ordines, Pres. Aklan Red Cross Youth Council Director represented the PRC Aklan Chapter. 

 
According to Ms. Pelayo, there are six humanitarian services that are implemented by PRC which are: a) Blood Services, b) Red Cross Youth, c) Membership Program, d) Disaster Management Services, e) Community Health and Nursing Services, and f) Social Services. Each of these program has a coordinator and complemented by field personnel mostly medical technologists. The key to its success lies in volunteerism or internalization of shared values irrespective of one’s status in life. Many of these volunteers are medical practitioners – doctors, nurses, midwives, and ordinary people with a heart to serve. 

 
Ms. Rojo views it as a challenge regarding decreased blood donations in the province of Aklan. Our minimum target is one percent of total population hence for 2011 we ought to have 5,470 blood units. We haven’t reached that. Then as of last year, data show that only 4,445 blood units were collected by PRC. Our situation is critical since we may not be able to meet contingencies especially natural calamities. 

 
The priority of availing blood units from our blood bank are donor card holders (transferable). In the absence of donor card, patients or a family member can be issued blood units (450 cc) if he presents valid ID, fill out blood request form and pays processing fee of P1,500. This amount is for recovery cost of blood tests against Hepatitis B, C, STD, HIV/AIDS and Malaria, Ms. Rojo pointed out.

 
Mr. Cadunggan revealed that disaster risk reduction program is supported by the Finnish Red Cross. Now on its second year, this is implemented in barangays Aliputos and Bulwang, Numancia and barangays Bakhao Norte, Bakhao Sur, Tinigao, and Mobo all flood prone areas in Kalibo. 

 
The membership program like Junior, Senior, College and Community Red Cross Youth is actively organized in all public and private schools according to Ms. Galeon. The colunteers are trained covering a wide variety of subjects like first aid, nursing, infant and child care, accident prevention and camping. 

 
Under the membership program donors may give P50.00 to P1,000 every year. A donor enjoys socialized insurance covering accident, death and burial benefits. Accident insurance is P5,000 plus P150.00 per day for hospitalization (maximum of 60 days). Accidental death is P12,000 and burial expense of P5,000. Higher reimbursement payment is awarded to platinum and gold donors with minimum payment of P1,000 annual premium.

 
Ms. Pelayo cited provincial awardees under different categories like certificate of appreciation, diploma of service (scroll of honor, blood galloners, gold medalist and real sandugo awardees). Blood donors are model partners in humanitarian effort to serve and protect lives.

 
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent have been around since 1886 after it was founded by Jean Henri Dunant. The battle of Solferino (June 1859) was the rallying point for European diplomats to organize coordinated health care and assistance to injured war combatants and displaced civilian population. Under the Geneva Convention, the Red Cross is non-political, non-religious, non-racist and committed to aid victims and their families in times of war and peace. 

 
Based on RA 10121 or Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the Philippine Red Cross is a member of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). As such it must coordinate with NDRRMC as far as disaster mitigation and prevention are concerned. 

 
Mr. Terence June T. Toriano, Civil Defense Officer II, LGU Kalibo said that they have 2 shifts per day (composed of 14 well trained personnel plus sizeable number of volunteers) to respond to emergencies like flood, typhoon, earthquake, vehicular accidents and industrial emergencies. There are one service truck and one ambulance on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week alert to attend to any distress call within Aklan. The Special Operations Unit of Aklan is 1 of 2 Emergency Responders in Panay, the other one is based in Iloilo City. Mr. Toriano said that their fund comes from the 5 percent calamity from IRA. Hotline number is 159 (Pantelco), CP No. 09186312150, e-mail SOU_kalibo@yahoo.com      

 
The Aklan Blood Bank, due to the lack of facilities, processes blood units in Roxas City collected into 4 components which are: a) pack red cells, b) fresh frozen plasma, c) blood platelets and d) cryo precipitate. 

 
It also needs additional freezers, as what is available can only accommodate 50 blood units. The excess is stored in freezers of DRSTMH and Saint Gabriel Hospital. According to Ms. Pelayo, PRC Aklan has appealed to Cong. Teodorico T. Haresco, Jr. for P4.5 million to procure blood processing machine and P0.5 million for new building to house the medical facility. 

 
PRC Aklan, after more than 57 years, has become a venerable institution dispensing humanitarian aid to Filipinos in all walks of life. Strengthening its youth base can effectively attract more volunteers to its fold. Congressman Teodorico T. Haresco, Jr. has a special concern to promote health. He has filed HB 114 in the 16th Congress geared to modernize or upgrade facilities of DRSTMH and Ibajay District Hospital. May it become a reality soon. /MP