Sta. Cruz, Zambales Emergency Response Team
The residence of the Northern Zambales municipality of Sta. Cruz are not provided with certain basic services. With a population of over 49,000 there is no ambulance, no medicine for the Brgy. Health Centers, and the only hospital has not been repaired since Typhoon Cosme more than a year ago.
In response to the many preventable deaths and injuries that occur each year, the local residents of Brgy. Bolitoc and Sabang took it upon themselves to form Barangay Emergency Response Teams in January 2008. The teams have been trained by the Philippine Nation Red Cross as First Aiders, and CPR certified. Also they are trained as DSWD volunteers. They have received additional training from both the Provincial Hospital and the local municipal hospital.
The volunteer group registered with the SEC as Sta. Cruz Emergency Response, Inc. on March 16, 2009, and operate as Barangay Emergency Response Teams in the individual Barangays of Sta. Cruz.
They focus their efforts to help the most needy in Barangays Bolitoc, Sabang and Biay. During Typhoon Emong two weeks ago, over 100 families had to be evacuated. They were there to help with the distribution of food and supplies to those evacuated.
This week they provided transportation for a 23 year old female to the hospital. She was undernourished, dehydrated, and suffering from hepatitis. They paid her medical expenses and bought the family food.
They have also sponsored Botika Natin sa Nayon in both Bolitoc and Sabang and work closely with the Zambales War Against Poverty Foundation, Inc.
Their web site is at: http://www.webfixpro.com/
They are an all volunteer and have no paid staff. Any donation received goes to help those in need. They practice 100% transparency and all their financials are posted on the web site.
If you would like further information about their activities, visit their website and if you wish to make a contribution click on DONATE.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
