SENATOR Richard J. Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, has placed on alert all services, chapters, and volunteers in preparation for the low-pressure area which may develop into a tropical depression.

Gordon reiterated the importance of the 4Ps – predict, plan, prepare and practice, as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that the LPA, located 1,945 kilometers southeast of Mindanao, may develop into a tropical depression by Sunday and enter PAR on Tuesday.

“Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice. Dapat marunong tayo mag predict kung kelan papasok ang bagyo, dapat tayo ay nagpa-plano kung saan ang mga evacuation centers kung sakali ang matinding pag-baha. We need to prepare, ihanda natin ang mga kailangan kagaya ng Go-bag na naglalaman ng Pagkain, medisina, tubig, at iba pang mga kailangan. And lastly, we need to practice para malaman rin ng iba ang gagawin sa mga pagkakataon na bumagyo sa ating mga lugar,” he said.

Gordon said the PRC is beefing up its disaster management services through its local chapters as all rescue vehicles and emergency response units are ready for situations like this.

“Through PRC’s volunteers, logistics, and information technology, the Red Cross is always first, always ready, and always there in every situation where help is needed,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Lee Ann P. Ducusin