GORDON
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon led the groundbreaking ceremony of the PRC Bogo City/Northern Cebu branch building and Blood Bank Friday last week.
The two-storey building costing P10 million will be funded entirely by the Red Cross and will be constructed on a lot donated by the Bogo City government at the New Government Center.
Senator Gordon mentioned in his speech the 5 Fs of the Red Cross which are to Focus on work, to be Fast, Friendly and not corrupt, Flexible and Forward-Looking.
He also hinted possible dialysis machines and ambulances for Bogo City.
Senator Gordon said the establishment of a branch in Bogo City will further bring Philippine Red Cross services nearer and more accessible to the people in northern Cebu.
People from Bogo and neighboring municipalities will not have to go far to access Red Cross services like blood as the new building will have a blood collecting station.
Present during the groundbreaking were Bogo City Mayor Carlo Martinez, Vice-Mayor Mayel Martinez, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Mayor Jay Dela Fuente of Madridejos, Mayor Mariano Martinez of San Remigio, Red Cross Cebu Province Chapter President Atty. Allan Nicolas Ouano and a delegation from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies headed by Kari Isomaa. Former Mayor Junie Martinez also graced the event.
It was during the term of the former mayor that the 1,000 square meter lot on which the building will be built was donated to the PRC.
The event was followed by a press conference where the senator answered questions regarding the upcoming building.
According to Marco Abrazado, Field Operations head of the PRC for Haiyan (typhoon Yolanda) Operation, the building will be the focal point for Red Cross operations in the north. Services include disaster management, safety services, health services, Red Cross Youth, social services and blood services.
Abrazado further said that Bogo City was the logical choice due to its being the gateway to northern Cebu, and the presence of support facilities.