Red Cross To Deploy Staff, Volunteers For Eucharistic Congress In Cebu

In keeping with its mission to safeguard the health and safety of the Filipinos, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will once again deploy staff and volunteers to man first aid stations and basic healthcare unit that PRC Cebu chapter will put up for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu on January 24-31, 2016.

“The Philippine Red Cross joins the Catholic Church in this great undertaking. I have personally instructed the Cebu chapter to be visible and provide assistance to the participants and everyone who will witness the events during the Eucharistic Congress. As early as now, I would already like to congratulate the organizers for the success of the IEC,” said PRC chairman Richard Gordon.

As of January 22, PRC Cebu’s operation plans for the IEC will start on January 24 for the opening mass in Plaza Independencia, where five first aid stations will be set up inside the plaza and another five outside the plaza. On foot first aiders will also patrol the area ready to provide assistance to those who would need medical help and other assistance.

But from January 25-27, Red Cross operations will be at halt as the event is strictly for registrants only and will be held at the Pavilion, the main venue for conferences and other indoor activities for IEC 2016, located at the Seminaryo Mayor de San Carlos compound in Mabolo, Cebu City.

Red Cross operations will resume on January 28 for the activity that will be at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu. The Red Cross will set up a medical station at the Senior Citizens Plaza near Plaza Independencia, and will simultaneously deploy volunteers with the Lapu-Lapu/Cordova chapter.

On January 29, the delegates, dignitaries, clergies and public, estimated at around 50,000 people, will have a procession from the Cebu Capitol Building grounds to Plaza Independencia for mass at 7:00 PM. For this event, PRC Cebu will deploy 100 on foot volunteer first aiders who will walk along with the participants. Seven first aid stations will also be put up at the staging area and one medical station will be set up in front of PRC Cebu chapter office.

For the January 30 activity at Cebu City Sports Complex, there will be five Red Cross first aid stations positioned inside the complex and five outside, all with on foot volunteers.

At the culmination of the Eucharistic Congress on January 31, where millions of people are expected to attend the statio orbis, Red Cross will put up 10 first aid stations in the South Road Properties (SRP) area.

During the entire duration of the IEC, PRC Cebu will deploy 5 ambulances; while the basic healthcare unit will operate from January 29-31.

Around 250 Red Cross volunteers will participate in the event, composed of volunteer doctors and nurses from Cebu; Radio Emergency Assistance Volunteers Organization (REAVO); medical students from Cebu Institute of Medicine; walk-in volunteers with first aid training (Red Cross gives volunteer first aiders a refresher training before deployment); volunteers from other private organizations; and chapter volunteers.(PNA) FPV/PR/PJN