1,300 Red Cross staff, volunteers to assist Holy Week travelers

Red Cross volunteers on duty during an emergency situation (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / EDWIN BACASMAS)

MANILA — Around 1,300 Philippine Red Cross staff and volunteers nationwide have been deployed to provide first aid assistance and ambulance service starting Tuesday until Sunday.

PRC has set up 161 first aid stations with 60 stationed ambulances and 33 roving ambulances in churches, beaches, swimming pools/resorts, bus terminals, sea and air ports, parks, highways, mountains and pilgrimage areas, and other public places nationwide, a statement from PRC said.

PRC first aid stations and welfare desks are also positioned in major gasoline stations in the Northern and Southern Luzon Express Way, Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (Star) Tollway.

The 119 welfare desks are set to provide psycho-social support, first aid service, referral assistance and tracing assistance for people with missing relatives/companions 24 hours during the Holy Week.

PRC Chair Richard Gordon said the PRC has expected an increase in the influx of travelers observing the Holy Week Season.

Last year, PRC assisted 4,308 people with minor cases including increase in blood pressure, sprain, headache, dizziness, jellyfish sting, abrasion, insect bite, food allergy, fainting, and dysmenorrhea, among others.

To ensure a safe and happy trip, the PRC, led by its Safety Services, reminds everyone to follow its 10 Road Safety Commitments:

1) Use a seatbelt;

2) Wear a helmet if riding on a motorcycle;

3) Drive at a safe speed and distance as necessary for the condition I am in;

4) Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs;

5) Do not use a mobile phone when driving;

6) Be visible as a pedestrian or cyclist;

7) Know and respect the highway code;

8) Maintain my vehicle in a good condition;

9)  Be licensed and trained for the vehicle I am driving;
and;

10) Know how to act in case of a car crash.

The PRC encourages the public to download for free its First Aid PH application. The app, available on Apple App Store for iOS devices or Google Play for Android devices, offers instant access to instructions on administering basic first aid and preparedness tests for a variety of possible incidents.

In cases of emergency, dial PRC hotline 143; call 790-2300 or send an email to [email protected]. Interested volunteers may also apply online at redcross.ph/volunteer.  SFM