Red Cross standing by during festival highlights

The Philippine Red Cross-Iloilo is prepared to tend to medical emergencies during the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival highlights, scheduled from January 25 to 27, with 150 volunteers deployed across the city.

Sixteen first aid stations are set up, along with five stations ambulances and one emergency medical unit.

“Do not forget to bring plenty of water; eat breakfast before leaving home; bring extra food, umbrella, or cap; and, for those who [require] maintenance [medication], do not forget to bring your medicine,” urged Red Cross chapter service representative Joji Esper Marmolejo.

He noted, last year, most of those treated were festival participants that came down with exhaustion and hunger.

The local Red Cross earlier conducted the Dinagyang Blood Olympics, which encourages young people to donate blood.

“December and January are the most crucial part wherein blood donations are lesser than usual because of activities and festivities,” Marmolejo explained. “We are encouraging our youth to donate blood so that, in times of emergency, we [can] cater the needy.”/WDJ

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