PRC suspends hot meals program in Agusan del Sur
Until completion of ‘food poisoning’ probe
THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) expressed its deepest concern for the 216 people who were recently hospitalized due to a food- or water-borne illness in Brgy. Tandang Sora in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
“The welfare of the people is of utmost concern to us and we are doing everything we can to ensure that every individual taken to the hospital is out of harm’s way at the soonest time,” the PRC said in a statement.
While the cause of the health emergency remains under investigation by the local government, the PRC’s hot meals program in the province was suspended until the completion of the probe.
The PRC is a humanitarian organization that has been helping thousands of residents affected by flooding due to shearline and trough of low-pressure area (LPA) in Mindanao. It was among several organizations that were serving hot meals in Agusan del Sur. PRC serves about a thousand residents every day since January 16.
The organization said it will wait for the results of the ongoing investigation. “Rest assured that PRC supports the investigation. PRC remains transparent and will closely coordinate with the local government on this serious matter,” PRC noted in its statement.
As of 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, PRC distributed 504 jerry cans; 504 hygiene kits; 211 sleeping kits; 1,170 food packs; and 1,000 medicines to Agusan del Sur. An additional 1,000 jerry cans were also delivered to Agusan del Sur. Eight First Aid and seven Welfare desks were also set up.
The PRC remains committed to support the flood victims. To date, PRC has distributed 24,424 hot meals; provided 330 child-friendly spaces; and conducted 120 psychosocial first aid sessions. 663 individuals were trained on hygiene while 347,400 liters of water were delivered to the town, serving 11,315 families or 43,204. Soaps were also distributed. PRC also deployed three food trucks, one ambulance unit, one relief truck, one 10,000-liter water bladder and a chapter vehicle to Agusan del Sur. PRC also sent 248 volunteers to assist the town.
In a press conference earlier, Esperanza Mayor Deo Manpatilan, Jr. was quoted as saying: “This is not the time to point fingers especially since the Philippine Red Cross only wants to help. There is an ongoing investigation. We hope to prevent the same situation from happening in the future.”
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