MANDALUYONG CITY -– The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) immediately dispatched a humanitarian caravan in Albay after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert for Mayon Volcano to level 3 which signifies an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption”.

The premier humanitarian organization distributed assistance to some 10,000 residents living within six kilometers of the permanent danger zones of Mayon Volcano as the organization launched its one of the largest conducted operation.

PRC Albay Chapter has already dispatched its health caravan with trained medical personnel and set up first aid stations, and welfare desks with nebulizers and blood pressure monitors in evacuation centers.

Additional assistance such as four water tankers with five water bladders, two water filtration units, and tap stands; four food trucks; two Travis multipurpose vans with health supplies, including goggles; three trucks with 2, 500 sleeping kits and hygiene kits; and a 6x6 truck carrying 2, 500 jerry cans were also deployed.

These are all from the different PRC warehouses in Metro Manila, Subic, and Batangas Chapters to augment other assets already prepositioned in Albay.

The water tankers will ensure the provision of drinking water at the evacuation centers as sulfur dioxide and other chemicals from volcanic ashes may pollute water sources.

PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwendolyn T. Pang organized the PRC teams to respond at the soonest time to help the residents in Albay.

“Our team is prepared and we are already moving as early as now to ensure that no one will be displaced. Our volunteers and staff in Albay and Batangas stand ready to assist,” Dr. Pang said.

Dr. Pang urged communities both in Albay and in Batangas, where Taal Volcano is currently showing signs of increased unrest, to remain alert and observant, as she underscored the importance of always being prepared to alleviate the suffering of people in the affected areas.

PRC is known to be the foremost humanitarian Philippine organization that is able to respond in countless rescue and other operations guided by its 4Ps principles: “Predict, Plan, Prepare, Practice.” (PRC)