By: Jade Belen

Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local governments to assess all buildings for possible damages following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Abra and contiguous provinces on October 25.

"I would like to suggest to DPWH and the local governments that they check all the buildings, since they might cave in if their foundation was affected, to ensure that people will be safe," Gordon said.

Gordon assured that the country's foremost humanitarian organization is ready to respond to people affected by the earthquake. 

PRC volunteers and staff are on the ground assessing the needs in coordination with local governments. 

He added that PRC is fine-tuning its volunteer system in the barangays so that cogent reports are transmitted to the PRC Operations Center right after the impact of any hazard event, to enable PRC to provide humanitarian assistance "just in time, on time, all the time."

The PRC chapters have reported no casualties in Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, and Isabela.

For emergencies, he encouraged people to call the Red Cross Hotline 143, or (02) 8790-2300.