Red Cross braces for possible storms, Mt. Kanlaon eruption
THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is bracing for potential calamities as it closely monitors the southwest monsoon and low pressure areas (LPA) forming outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), and the continuous volcano-tectonic earthquakes recorded from Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island.
PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said the Red Cross national headquarters and its Chapters nationwide have been readying their assets and mobilizing RC143 volunteers and staff non-stop amid La Niña.
“Our Operations Center has been on alert day and night since Super Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) and Tropical Storm Enteng (Yagi). We are monitoring the weather condition, especially habagat, and regularly adjusting our response and relief plans based on assessments of our current operational capacity and previous accomplishments. In the Red Cross, we live by the 4Ps: Predict, Plan, Prepare, Practice, so as soon as an emergency or disaster hits, we’re ready to assist,” he said.
“This time of the year is always challenging for us due to the heightened threat of storms and typhoons. We’re ensuring our emergency response teams have enough manpower and equipment, our rescue vehicles and relief trucks and tankers are ready for deployment, and our medical and blood units are well-stocked,” explained PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.
As part of preparedness protocols, PRC Chapters nationwide are identifying areas in their jurisdiction where water sources may be disrupted by a storm, and mobilizing volunteers and onboarding medical practitioners who can be deployed to conduct first aid, hygiene promotion, and health services. In the event of a disaster, PRC Chapters nationwide have been instructed to establish first aid stations and welfare desks at ports, airports, hospitals, and other areas where people may be stranded.
“As for the troubling developments in Negros Oriental due to Mt. Kanlaon, our Chapters and emergency teams on the ground in Negros Island and Bacolod are prepositioning their resources for potential response and relief and coordinating with the local government. Rest assured, the Red Cross will be there to provide support to all evacuees,” remarked Gordon.
Many families residing within the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone around Mt. Kanlaon have been pre-emptively evacuated by the local government since September 10 due to increased seismic activity and unprecedented levels of sulfur dioxide degassing of Mt. Kanlaon.
A food truck and water tanker is already on standby in the area to provide food and water to communities in case volcanic activity escalates, as per PRC’s Operations Center. A payloader is also there in case lahar needs to be cleared from the area.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the LPA that developed into a tropical depression outside of PAR is headed North of Luzon as of 8 a.m. on September 12, and will likely intensify the downpour of the southwest monsoon in many areas of the country in the coming days.
Mt. Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2 on September 12, since the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded more than 200 volcano-tectonic earthquakes felt in cities in Negros Oriental on September 10.
