12 December 2016 — Officials from the American Red Cross of Los Angeles Region (ARCLA) conducted a forum to increase the awareness of the Filipino-American community on the importance of disaster preparedness at the Community Hall of the Consulate General on December 06.

Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz welcomed the ARCLA officials such as Ms. Kerry Khan, Ms. Jeanne Woo, Ms. Tamara Alcantara, Ms. Louise Sylvester and Ms. Mariel Bancod-Gileno. 

Consulate General personnel and members of the Filipino community attended the forum, which discussed tips and important reminders on what to do before, during and after an emergency or calamity. 

The speakers provided information on what items should be included in emergency kits, importance of planning and practicing an exit plan from the house or office building in case of calamity, the designation of offsite emergency contact persons, and having a family emergency preparedness plan. 

Ms. Jeanne Woo, ARCLA Disaster Program Manager, also informed the attendees about ARCLA’s upcoming activities and available programs, like the free smoke alarm installation day on February 11, 2017, disaster preparedness trainings, CPR and first aid certifications, which are available upon request from ARCLA.

Presentations on disaster preparedness have been provided by ARCLA since the signing of the MOU, first with the Consulate General’s personnel on December 18, 2013 followed by a presentation to the Filipino community on October 15, 2014.

The forum is part of the Consulate General’s continuing emergency preparedness campaign, a platform to promote awareness on disaster resiliency for the Filipino community.  END