Red Cross on alert 24/7 for Bulusan Volcano

The Philippine Red Cross has gone on 24/7 alert for possible intervention should restive Bulusan Volcano's activity threaten areas around it. PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang instructed staff and volunteers, especially those in its Sorsogon Chapter, to monitor the volcano's situation closely. "I enjoin all staff and volunteers of PRC Sorsogon Chapter to be on alert 24/7 and to monitor the volcanic activity of Mt. Bulusan. Let us prepare our rescue vehicles and equipment for a possible response when this situation gets worse," Pang said in an article posted on the PRC website early Thursday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) maintained its alert warning at level 1 last Saturday despite ash ejection. On Tuesday, Bulusan ejected ash at least twice. Pang urged local governments concerned to conduct preemptive evacuation to ensure the safety and health of the residents living nearby the volcano. For his part, PRC Chairman Richard Gordon stressed the importance of Red Cross 143, a community volunteer program, during natural and man-made disasters. "Red Cross 143 is very crucial as it gives each chapter a direct line from the National Headquarters, hastening communication and action," he said. — LBG, GMANews.TV