Red Cross to deploy extra rescue boats, trucks in flooded areas

The Philippine Red Cross will deploy additional rescue equipment to flooded areas in the country, its chairman Senator Richard Gordon said Thursday.

"HELP IS ON THE WAY. Paparating na ang ating team mula sa Subic, Batangas at Manila sa Marikina at Rizal dala ang karagdagang rescue boats at trucks upang tumulong sa rescue operations sa mga bahang lugar," Gordon said in a Facebook post.

"Tayo ay may grupo ng rescuers na aakyat sa mga bubong upang masaklolo[han] ang mga na-stranded na pamilya," he added.

Since early Thursday morning, several netizens posted photos on social media showing affected residents who were stranded on roofs and waiting to be rescued.

A tally earlier in the day showed that the PRC was able to rescue 229 individuals from Rizal, one of the provinces in Luzon that experienced severe flooding due to Ulysses.

Gordon thanked the PRC volunteers and staff for providing service to the disaster victims.

Those who need emergency assistance may contact the humanitarian organization's hotline 143.

The Philippine Coast Guard also deployed at least 31 teams, composed of 248 personnel, to assist in evacuation and rescue operations in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite on Thursday.

—Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News