Red Cross NegOr chapter launches Project 143

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 28 (PNA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Negros Oriental will be organizing more volunteer groups for the Project 143 that focuses on disaster management. The Project 143 is implemented through the barangays as they are identified being on the first line of defense especially during disasters.

According to provincial PRC administrator Louella Bael, they have scheduled a training for a core group of volunteers for the Project 143 in San Jose municipality.

She said they are now preparing a letter to all newly-elected officials in the different local government units (LGUs) in order to convince to organize a core group of volunteers for the Project 143.

At present, the Project 143 is already in placed in Guihulngan City, the four geothermal barangays in Valencia and recently in San Jose.

She is hoping that other local government units will realized the need to organize a Project 143 especially during this rainy months. She said they will be prioritizing the areas identified under disaster prone areas in the province.

Emmylou Calumpang, officer in charge for the project 143, is now finalizing the list of areas that has to be trained for disaster management and basic skills in rescue and survival.

Bael said she hoping that the LGUs will be more optimistic in taking the challenge in accepting there offer of training volunteers for the Project 143. She added that the project will also compliment with the Search and Rescue Training organized by the provincial government.

The Project 143 emphasizes on the preparedness of the barangays wherein they will be taught skills on rescue, first aid and disaster management. It is ideal that every LGU has a team of search and rescue volunteers. (PNA)
FFC/jfp/MA