Press Release
May 20, 2008

GORDON: STRENGTHEN OUR CAPABILITIES BEFORE THE NEED ARISES

Senator Richard Gordon, the Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), pointed out that the disasters in Myanmar and China highlights our own need to make a "paradigm shift" in addressing natural calamities.

"By strengthening our capabilities even before the need arises, we better equip ourselves with the proper skills and mindset to later on deliver the necessary high-quality and expeditious service. In all instances, we must ensure that we are ready to answer the people's call for help", said Gordon. This is where Project 143 Red Cross comes in. Project 143 Red Cross or I Love You Red Cross is a project aimed at stopping the cycle of poverty in the Philippines and empowering Philippine communities to respond to disasters both natural and manmade.

Gordon explained that under the program, a group of volunteers will be trained in each and every barangay to be the first to prepare, report and respond to any given calamity therein. The distinguished Senator said that the group will be composed of 1 team leader and 43 members who will be in-charge of disaster preparedness and response activities; health and welfare activities; and the walking blood bank.

To ensure that victims will receive all the needed help and support, Project 143 members will coordinate with the different Red Cross Chapters nationwide. No calamity is too big nor any problem too hard to solve. Red Cross Chapters will be given aid by the PNRC National Headquarters. If this is not enough, additional support may be given by the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

Gordon added that cyclone-devastated Myanmar and the powerful earthquake that shocked China should remind all of us that we must always be prepared to deal with disasters whenever and wherever they strike. "It is important not just to provide assistance to victims but, more importantly, to be able to predict, plan, prepare, cope with and mitigate the effects of the damages of disasters," he stressed.

Gordon likewise proposed the acquisition by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of state-of-the-art weather and geophysical equipment and facilities within the next six years to minimize the damages caused by natural disasters.

"It is imperative for the Philippines to have a modern weather forecasting and warning system because of the numerous disasters that hit the country every year," he said.

"The country should be prepared with measures that will enable it to deal with large-scale calamities such as those that are wrought by earthquakes and unusually strong typhoons which bring floods and landslides," said Gordon, who leads disaster rescue and relief operations under the PNRC in over half of the provinces of the country.

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