ZAMBOANGA CITY, 23 March. (PIA 9) - - The countless volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross in Zamboanga City was lauded by the city government for their enthusiasm, courage and above all for their aggressive spirit of volunteerism in the service of humanity through the Red Cross movement.
“As volunteers, you are the backbone of the Red Cross movement. Without you, without your heroism and without your unceasing love and passion for other people, Red Cross cannot carry out, let alone succeed in its mission. You epitomize the value for which the Red Cross stands, that is to save life whenever and wherever is possible,” Mayor Celso Lobregat said during the 10th Biennial Assembly of PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter at the Celebrity Hall of Grand Astoria Hotel held recently.
He said the assembly was a reaffirmation of the volunteers’ commitment not only to the local Red Cross chapter but to the public it serves.
“This is a manifestation of the fact that Red Cross is here and here to stay, always ready: to save lives of patients in need of blood; to conduct an educational campaign that ensures the health and safety of the people; to provide relief in times of peace or war and to carry on measures to minimize the suffering caused by disasters; to assist the most vulnerable and underserved on health care services; to carry out assistance program that provides various welfare services to individuals and families, and; to educate the youth in the spirit of the Red Cross and provide opportunities to direct their energy into worthwhile activities,” he said.
“As governor of PRC,” Lobregat said, “I know how important the Red Cross and its volunteers to our society. That is why the city government under our administration is currently constructing the Red Cross Blood Bank Building in a bid to improve the blood bank service and give its workforce an environment conducive for work.”
In addition, he said the city government never fails in forging partnership with the local Red Cross in all community development activities, foremost of which are blood-letting and fund-raising programs, knowing that the Red Cross is a non-stock and non-profit organization.
“I hope you will keep serving the Red Cross. The Red Cross needs you, so do the people it vows to serve,” the mayor told the volunteers.
Meanwhile, the PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter headed by its Administrator Victor Liozo and Dr. Mila Fernandez, chairperson of the Board of Directors, has thanked Mayor Lobregat for his unwavering support and that of the city government under his leadership.
They cited Lobregat’s blood-letting activity on his 64th birthday last Tuesday, March 20, as the bloodiest with a total of 298 blood donors, making him the unparalleled bloodiest mayor ever in the country, beating all other previous blood-letting activities.
The city government is also the biggest contributor to the local Red Cross movement, having donated the amount of P1.8 million in 2011. “The amount will be increased to P2.5 million in 2013,” the mayor vowed.
Yesterday’s assembly had Acting City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Pedro Natividad as presiding officer in his capacity as chairman of the assembly committee. (JPA/ VL/CIO/PIA- ZBST)