BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO
SIQUIJOR, April 28 (PIA) — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) here is calling for more volunteers as it stressed the importance of psychosocial first aid to the victims of calamities.
PRC-Siuqijor head head Rowena Maputi, in a press release, said disasters bring damages to both lives and property and greatly affects the emotional and social state of a person.
“This is why psychosocial first aid is vital,” she said while admitting that oftentimes such interventions are left behind.
Massage and other exercises that pacify stress and prevents hypertension should be made a habit by individuals especially the old ones, she said.
Maputi said that Larena town headed by Mayor Dean Villa is initiating disaster preparedness and management efforts to make Larena a “disaster-ready” municipality.
He also lauded the mayor for including first aid during the training of volunteers held in tje town.
At present, PRC Siquijor has only one existing volunteer who has knowledge and skills to initiate the psychosocial first aid, she said.
The PRC head is calling for more volunteers to work with them and help the government secure the community and save lives . (rmn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor w/ reports from IAAbatayo)