'Prepare for the worst': Red Cross urges public to have survival kit ready for disasters

MANILA — The Philippine Red Cross is urging the public to not entirely rely on rescue efforts of the government but to also do their part in preparing for natural disasters.

This, after severe tropical storm Kristine ravaged the country late October, rendering several provinces submerged in flood and inaccessible for rescue efforts.

"Very important talaga ang paghahanda ay hindi lang dapat mga ahensiya tulad ng Philippine Red Cross at gobyerno pero dapat ay tayo rin bilang indibidwal," Dr. Gwen Pang, secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross said in TeleRadyo Serbisyo's Story Outlook on Sunday.

She said that while the local government is capable of rescuing its constituents, the public itself should have their own "survival kit" since it is not always predictable when a person would be rescued.

125 reported dead due to Kristine, Leon – NDRRMC

"Kailangan natin ng 'grab and go bag' o survival kit. Ang bag na ito ay dapat may laman na supplies na kaya nating magsurvive for the next three days," she said. 

Pang added that no one should be complacent during natural disasters since anything can happen when they strike.

"Nabubulaga tayo. So kailangan napaghahandaan natin 'yung mga talagang unforeseen at hindi natin na-experience before. Kailangan we expect for the worst, we prepare for the worst," she said. 

'Leon' rapidly intensifies, may become super typhoon by Thursday