In Bayambang, Pangasinan
RED CROSS GIVES ANTI-CHOLERA KITS TO 100 FAMILIES

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan - Close to 100 families from this town's Barangay Topok received from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sen. Richard J. Gordon 300 pieces of "jerry cans" or water containers, a mobile water filtration tank and anti-cholera kits late Sunday afternoon a few days after 57 people were reported to have contracted Cholera in three municipalities in the province.

Hundreds of residents of Barangay Topok braved the bad weather to attend the ceremonies. One of the recipients is grandmother Magdalena Alviar, 79, a widow with 36 grandchildren. "

In his speech, Gordon delved about his experiences as a Red Cross member wherein he and his friends helped the poorest of the poor in Olongapo City, Zambales. He said he pitied those without shoes, clothing, and school supplies.

Also, Gordon said as a Red Crosser, staff and volunteers must sacrifice to walk an extra mile in the delivery of services to the victims. "Until now, I have to let go of many things. Like today, a Sunday, which is a family day, I chose to fly here and join you for the anti-cholera program. I am fully committed to the Red Cross and I even donated my honorarium in a health soap commercial to the PNRC. My talent fee did not pass my hands and it went directly to the coffers of the Red Cross," Gordon said.

After the speech, Gordon handed out the anti-cholera kits to the residents, as well as chocolate cakes and candies to children. He was assisted by PNRC deputy secretary general Gwendolyn Pang, Bayambang Mayor Ricardo Libunao, San Fabian Mayor and Red Cross-Pangasinan Board Member Mojambid Camacho, television actress/Red Cross Youth Council (RCYC) member Maybelline Fernandez, Red Cross-Pangasinan Chapter Administrator Florame Magalong, and other local officials.

Meanwhile, Mayor Libunao said they have also coordinated with the Provincial Health Office to prevent another Cholera outbreak. He added that they are doing counter-measures as boiling water campaign and information dissemination.

For her part, Red Cross Chapter Administrator Magalong said in her report to Gordon that the Local Health Authorities, specifically the Provincial Health Office and the Center for Health Development for Region I Satellite Office, have expressed concerns over an alarming increase in number of Cholera cases within the province.

Magalong told Gordon that the Municipalities of Bayambang, Aguilar and Bolinao are the priority areas for monitoring since these towns registered the most number of cases.

Gordon ordered Red Cross 143 volunteer nurses in Pangasinan to conduct health education to affected barangays. The Red Cross water sanitation facilities are also on stand by for possible deployment anytime.

"It is the goal of the Red Cross to help in educating our countrymen on basic health care and in providing access to health programs for vulnerable groups specifically children and communities," said Gordon.

As of September 8, 2008, there are a total of 6,350 cases recorded and 57 of which are confirmed cholera cases. A command center has been established in Dagupan City Astrodome to monitor efforts geared towards controlling the spread of the disease.

The Pangasinan Chapter has verified data in the Municipality of Bayambang through its Municipal Health Officer where there is a high incidence of confirmed cholera cases.

For their part, the PNRC National Headquarters-Community Health and Nursing Services headed by Dr. Cecilia Francisco, have maintained constant monitoring and coordination with the concerned chapter through the PNRC Operations Center.