Senator Richard Gordon said the opening of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Silay City Branch in Negros Occidental will enable the PRC to make a difference in more people’s lives.
Gordon, who was the virtual guest speaker at the inauguration and blessing of the PRC Silay City branch Thursday, June 17, said PRC saves lives and in the process changes minds.
“We harness the power of humanity to see to it that we are always there when needed,” said Gordon, who is also PRC chairman and chief executive officer.
The PRC Silay City Branch can grow into having its own blood bank and its own ambulances, he added.
It is important to have a PRC branch in every city to have quick reaction forces when needed, Gordon said.
He urged young people to join the PRC Youth because it inculcates in them the value of being a humanitarian, and of being somebody who cares.
“That is something that we in this country do not have too much of right now because everybody has become self-centered. Hardly anybody listens now a days because they are always looking at their cellphones…at social media,” he said.
“We are a country that is at war with an unseen disease that kills people,” he said, in stressing the need for everyone to pay attention and help.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the opening of the PRC Silay Branch is a step forward towards expanding the Red Cross services in Negros Occidental.
“The PRC has been essential and vital to our collective goal of saving lives. Now that we are in this unprecedented global health crisis, the importance of the role of the Red Cross has gone more pivotal than ever,” he said.
Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said “we are here to help ensure that the PRC is always first, always ready but always fair.”
Also at the blended inauguration where some participants were at the site and the rest were online were PRC governors Jay Jalandoni and Jorge Lim.
The PRC Negros Occidental–Bacolod City chapter chairman is Carlos Ganihong, while Negros Occidental Board Member Ryan Gamboa and Roberto Montelibano are the vice chairmen.
The directors are Arthur Yap, Carlitos Orola, Hans Francis Ferraris and Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
The Silay Branch Council is composed of Ruby Velez – chairperson, Gamboa – vice chairperson, with Silay Mayor Mark Golez, Rep. Francisco Benitez, Arnel Malihan, Gina Martin, Henry Belleza, Ma. Delmar Mariposque, Maximo Javelona III, Reena Gamboa, Dr. Vicente Gabales, Michael Gochangco, and Dr. Maritel Ledesma as councilors.
The PRC Silay City branch also held a bloodletting activity on Thursday.*