PRC gives P5M in total cash aid to 1,500 families displaced by ‘Lando’ in N. Ecija

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) recently distributed more than P5 million in unconditional cash grants to more than 1,500 families who were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon “Lando” in Nueva Ecija province.

PRC Chair Richard Gordon said that the one-time cash assistance of P3,500 given to 1,545 families in the province’s 12 barangays (villages) that were heavily devastated by the storm in October 2015 was one way for the humanitarian organization to help the residents get back on their feet. He added that the cash grant was made possible through the support of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

“The Red Cross’ primary objective is to alleviate human suffering, that’s why we reach out to the most vulnerable to help them,” Gordon said of the grant that was given on Dec. 29 to the residents of Palayan City and the municipalities of Bongabon, Gabaldon and Laur.

Gordon and IFRC head of operations Patrick Elliot led the distribution of the cash grant at the Bongabong’s municipal gym. In a statement, the PRC said that the beneficiaries “expressed profound gratitude” for the cash grant, which they said they would use to either seek medical attention or to purchase household essentials that were damaged by the storm’s floodwaters.

Nueva Ecija was among the 14 provinces that were devastated by Typhoon “Nona” in December, just two months after Lando barreled into the province.  SFM