Red Cross calls for more Taal volunteers

BATANGAS, Philippines  — Officials of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) appealed yesterday to Batangas residents not affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano to join volunteers to augment the ongoing relief operations for victims of the volcano.

Leonardo Ebajo, director for the Red Cross Disaster Management Services, said this is the opportunity for more volunteers to learn about relief operations and evacuation of people.

Ebajo said the vision of PRC chair Sen. Richard Gordon is to activate Red Cross units in every barangay. 

“If we have volunteers in every barangay, we have people to send text messages on what is happening in their barangay,” said Ebajo.

He said information on evacuation, accidents, emergency cases and even the availability of blood supply can easily be assessed. 

Over 800 Red Cross staffers and volunteers have been mobilized to assist in the Taal Volcano operations.

Ronald Generoso, administrator of the Batangas PRC chapter, said at present they only have 39 permanent workers covering the whole of Batangas.

“We devided our staff into four groups, one in Nasugbu for the First District, Batangas City for the Second District, Tanauan City in Third District and Lipa City for Fourth District,” Generoso said.

Generoso said they were able to react immediately because their staff were well in place.

Despite that, Generoso said because of the massive turnout of evacuees, they were thankful that the PRC sent assistance in logistics and additional volunteers for the Taal eruption incident.

Generoso said volunteers from Marikina, Manila, Quezon City, Rizal and other chapters were sent by PRC national headquarters to Batangas to extend help.

The PRC had distributed relief packages to evacuees in the Batangas City Sports Complex last Friday.

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has earmarked P2.4 billion for the provision of emergency loans to active members and pensioners who were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

GSIS chair and acting president Rolando Macasaet said members residing in Batangas and Cavite are qualified to apply for an emergency loan until Feb. 17 and 20.

“Our offices in Pasay and Batangas City will be open even on Saturdays to accommodate pensioners who will apply for the emergency loan over the counter, and members who will apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks,” Macasaet said.

According to the GSIS, more than 119,000 active members, and disability and old-age pensioners are eligible to apply for the loan.  – With Mary Grace Padin