At least 2,000 members and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) were deployed to assist devotees who will participate in the Feast of the Black Nazarene or Traslacion 2018.
In a statement, PRC Chair and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon said they have set up nine first-aid stations and deployed 44 ambulances, an emergency medical unit, an amphibian, a 6×6 truck, fire truck, one rescue truck, two Humvees, four plastic boats and welfare desks in some receiving hospitals to serve when needed.
“Like those who have dedicated their lives to their devotion to the Black Nazarene, it has been like a devotion for us as well at the Red Cross to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the devotees during the height of the Traslacion,” Gordon said.
The first-aid stations and welfare desks are located throughout the path of the Black Nazarene procession and would be positioned at the Aquino monument, Round Table (Manila City Hall), Liwasang Bonifacio, Plaza Mexico (Post Office), Lacson (Sta Cruz area), San Sebastian, Jones Bridge, and near Quiapo Church to cater to minor and major injuries, as well as help trace missing family members, do referral service, and provide counseling and psychosocial support, the PRC said.
All PRC chapters within Metro Manila would participate in the Red Cross operation during the event, while other nearby chapters along with their volunteers would be put on standby, the humanitarian group said.
Aside from manning the first-aid stations, PRC volunteers and staff will be engaged in the conduct of foot patrol, ambulance assistance, patient transport, and water rescue, all for easy access to medical and emergency assistance.
At least 11 hospitals are set to accommodate injured individuals in the event of accidents, along with referral from the Department of Health. These include the Jose Fabella Hospital, Jose Reyes Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, 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.
An emergency room will be put on standby at the PRC Port Area with doctors, nurses, and technicians for a possible Multi-Casualty Incident.
Last year, the PRC served 2,566 people for medical needs and gave aid to persons who suffered dizziness, hypertension, sprain or fracture, various injuries, and other needed assistance like looking for missing companions, Gordon said.
The Traslacion last year lasted for 22 hours, starting around 5:20 a.m. on January 9 and ended 3:42 a.m. the next day.
“As much as we are prepared to serve, we would like to remind the public to be vigilant for any unlikely situation that may occur,” he added.
The PRC, as the foremost humanitarian organization in the country, has 103 chapters with two million volunteers nationwide to provide round-the-clock humanitarian assistance, especially to the most vulnerable.