THE OBSERVATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), citing the preparedness of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) in the rescue and relief efforts during Storm “Ondoy” and Typhoon “Pepeng,” couldn’t have been more correct. (Inquirer, 11/5/09)

During the rescue and relief efforts in Pasig on Sept. 26, the day that “Ondoy” dumped record levels of rain, it was the PNRC that responded almost immediately.

The government was not really visible until several hours had already passed and the television coverage of the relief efforts was being done round-the-clock.

The PNRC, chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon, along with the Subic and Olongapo rescue teams which Gordon formed from his “volunteerism campaign,” were among the first to respond to the crisis. But these groups never really sought publicity, and media did not really give them attention.

Yet, their immediate response to the crisis was volunteerism and heroism in action, and I admire their efforts to save and give relief to the calamity victims even without the spotlight on them.

—MICHAEL LAGUTAN,
Rm. 310, National Press Club Building, Intramuros, Manila