Red Cross Zambo to conduct training on disaster response anew

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

Wednesday 4th of July 2012

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 4 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Zamboanga City Chapter this month will conduct another emergency response training under its Project “Barangay 143.”

Under this program, barangay residents who are organized into groups are trained on disaster response, social services and health care by the PRC, said Red Cross Administrator Vic Liozo.

Liozo said PRC has targeted all the 98 barangays in the city.

“During our first round of training for project ‘Barangay 143’ sometime in 2008 , we were able to cover 90 barangays; and we will be conducting our round 2 starting this month to cover the 8 remaining barangays,” Liozo said.

In the “barangay 143” project, there will be assigned one (1) leader and 43 members of which, 25 are “stand-by” blood donors and blood donor advocates; 9 community health and social services team; and 9 disaster response team. All are volunteers.

“They will serve as the eye, ear, feet and hands of the barangay during disaster,” Liozo said.

The PRC administrator informed that Mayor Celso Lobregat will purchase basic emergency equipment for the barangay to use during emergencies.

He said the identified disaster-prone barangays will be the priority recipients of the basic equipment.

“Mayor Lobregat will be buying equipment for the 40 priority barangays. This equipment includes stretcher, salva vida, first aid kits, flashlights, ropes, whistles, and other basic equipment,” Liozo informed. (JPA/PIA9-ZBST)