The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has placed its staff, volunteers, and logistics on high alert in the wake of the anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Urduja.
PRC’s Operations Center (OpCen) continuously monitors the path of Urduja and is closely coordinating with the local chapters for possible response and rescue operations.
“We have already activated all our volunteers, responders, and rescuers to provide any necessary assistance needed. Our chapters in areas that will be affected by Tropical Storm Urduja are already on high alert for response,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said.
PRC’s emergency response teams, trained responders, chapter staff, and 143 volunteers are on standby and ready.
"Our rubber boats and other neccesary equipment are ready for use should any untoward incident like flashfloods, mudslides, landslides, and storm surges arise," Gordon added.
PAGASA's weather bulletin on Friday showed that Urduja has been moving slowly. Its expected landfall has been moved to Saturday morning or afternoon.
Signal number 2 remains hoisted over Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, and Biliran. Signal number 1, meanwhile is up in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands, Romblon, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Bantayan Island, Northern Bohol, Capiz, Aklan, Northern Iloilo, and Dinagat Islands.
PRC also advised the public to stay at home, prepare for possible evacuation, and report incidents to hotline 143. The public may also find several flood and typhoon tips issued in PRC’s social media accounts.
The Philippine Red Cross, as the foremost humanitarian organization in the country, has 103 chapters with two million volunteers nationwide that is always first, always ready and always there to provide round-the-clock humanitarian assistance, especially to the most vulnerable.
The state-of-the art Operations Center of the PRC manages and receives information from local chapters nationwide through the volunteers on the ground and use of various platforms.
OpCen also handles PRC’s 143 hotline where requests for blood, ambulance service, rescue, and other assistance are accommodated.
Aside from disaster responses, the other services of the Philippine Red Cross include blood, safety, welfare, health, volunteer and Red Cross youth.