Philippine Red Cross personnel assist a devotee in need of medical attention during the Black Nazarene procession in Manila. PHOTO C/O PHILIPPINE RED CROSS
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is set to deploy around 400 volunteers, close to 60 vehicles and a range of rescue equipment to ensure the safety of the millions of devotees expected to pack Monday’s grand procession of the Black Nazarene.
The humanitarian organization chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon said seven first-aid stations and welfare desks will be set up at the following sites along the procession route: Aquino monument, Round Table (Manila City Hall), Liwasang Bonifacio, Plaza Mexico (Post Office), Lacson (Sta. Cruz area), San Sebastian, and near Quiapo Church.
Other PRC volunteers and staff members will be deployed to go on foot patrol, help transport the injured or attend to devotees who need water. At the Port Area in Manila, an emergency room with doctors, nurses and technicians will be on standby.
PRC said the following hospitals will also be treating injured “traslacion” participants: Jose Fabella, Jose Reyes, San Lazaro, Tondo Medical Center, Ospital ng Tondo, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Gat Andres Medical Center, Justice Abad Santos Memorial Medical Center, Sta. Ana Hospital, Philippine General Hospital and Ospital ng Maynila.
Last year, the PRC assisted 1, 578 patients from the procession who sustained minor and serious injuries. —JODEE A. AGONCILLO/rga