MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has recognized the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for deploying personnel to assist in areas that experienced an increase in patients following flooding.
In a letter to PRC Chairman Richard Gordon, DOH Acting Secretary Edwin Mercado thanked the organization for sending personnel to areas with heavy patient loads, including San Lazaro Hospital and flood-affected communities.
“Your teams went where the patient load was heaviest, from San Lazaro’s wards to the flood-affected communities beyond,” Mercado wrote.
Gordon said the deployment was part of the PRC’s role as an auxiliary to the government during emergencies.
“When there is an emergency, we cannot wait for the situation to become worse before we act. We have to go where the need is greatest, support our health workers and make sure people receive help,” Gordon said.
“The Red Cross will continue to work with the DOH and our partners. We are one team when it comes to saving lives and serving Filipinos,” he added.
Mercado also recognized PRC volunteers and staff for their work in public health, citing the organization’s values of being “fast, fair and trustworthy,” as stated in Filipino.
