PRC GIVES 42-M CASH AID TO COVID-19 AFFECTED IN VISAYAS

As a staggering count of COVID-19 positive cases affected the Visayas region, with quarantine protocols threatening off the people's financial stability and putting their livelihoods in halt, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) prepared a Php 42 million multipurpose cash grant (MPCG) to aid 8,820 vulnerable families in Cebu, Lapu-Lapu - Cordova, Western Samar, and Leyte.

PRC Chairman & CEO, Sen. Richard Gordon directed providing aid for the most vulnerable, saying "Our kababayan need our help not only to alleviate their dire situation, but to redeem their dignity. PRC with its partner national societies always aims not only to help, but to lead people how to confidently begin again after every disaster."

Chairman Gordon further reiterated during his visit that the Red Cross is not a hand-out organization and that beneficiaries are greatly encouraged to invest their cash assistance into pursuit of livelihood projects.

Funded by the American Red Cross, the total target of the MPCG program in the Cebu Province is 3000 families in 15 barangays, with 500 families in 4 barangays from Lapu-Lapu - Cordova.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the PRC has been providing this cash aid program to help the most vulnerable. PRC, in partnership of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), recently gave MPCG to the vulnerable families and affected individuals in Manila, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Antipolo, Cainta, and among other pandemic stricken-places.

During his visit, Gordon met with Mr. Rosendo Lacaba, a blind man from Liloan, Cebu, who called Chairman Gordon for assistance during the pandemic and was surprised that the senator personally answered his phone call. His family was given food provisions through the Philippine Red Cross Cebu City Chapter.