The Philippine Red Cross conducted the Pilot Training for the Red Cross 143 Basic Training Course, reinforcing its flagship volunteer program initiative that aims to equip volunteers in every barangay with the knowledge, skills, and values needed by a Red Cross volunteer.
Under the RC143 Program, PRC aims to organize 44 volunteers in every barangay nationwide. Each 44-member team is envisioned to support Red Cross services, including blood, safety and first aid, disaster management and rescue, health, welfare, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The training comes as the Philippines continues to face recurring disasters and emergencies, with communities exposed to typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic hazards, flooding, and other risks. Through RC143, PRC seeks to build a proactive and community-based humanitarian system where volunteers can save lives.
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon underscored the importance of placing trained volunteers in communities.
“Every barangay must have trained volunteers who can predict, plan, prepare, practice and also report and respond.”
“The first minutes during emergencies are critical. That is why every barangay must have trained volunteers who can predict, plan, prepare, practice and also report and respond. RC143 brings the Red Cross closer to the people, so we can act faster and serve better,” Gordon said.
PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang emphasized, “Without RC143, there is no strong community-based response system.”
“Even with equipment and logistics, response will always depend on trained volunteers on the ground.”
“Even with equipment and logistics, response will always depend on trained volunteers on the ground,” Pang added.
The pilot training gathered a total of 66 participants, composed of personnel from the PRC National Headquarters and representatives from NCR Chapters. Through the pilot training, PRC aims to strengthen the standard implementation of RC143 across offices, chapters, and barangays, ensuring that every volunteer understands their role in preparedness and response.
PRC will conduct successive trainings in Northern and Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Chapters.
