DIPOLOG CITY, Feb. 14
(PIA) - - To stir up the spirit
volunteerism among Filipinos, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has conducted the 2nd
Million Volunteer Run (MVR-2)- Run to Save Lives in this city recently.
Over
4,000 people from all walks of life participated in the said event, which aimed
to build up a system of volunteers from barangay level, to school organizations,
private enthusiasts and to government agencies and entities. It also sought to
raise funds for the PRC’s critical humanitarian services all over the country.
The
proceeds shall be used also to finance the Red Cross 143 volunteer program and
to give assistance to the victims of Typhoon Pablo in Davao.
“This million volunteer
run will promote the awareness of the people in helping others in need and that
the PRC ZN Local Chapter is here to facilitate and give aid especially to
victims of calamities with the fact that this could not be done alone by LGUs,”
said Nidoh Gen Regencia, Program Coordinator of MVR-2 Dipolog City in a phone
interview.
The MVR2 has been designed
to make the community more responsive to any disaster by encouraging
involvement in disaster preparedness and response, health and welfare, and
voluntary blood donation.
Right after the fun run,
the “Mass Blood Donation Drive” was conducted at Dipolog Boulevard to collect
not less than 250 units of blood.
“MVR-2
is a salute to all volunteers on whom lives depend in times of disasters and
emergencies. Now, more than ever, the Philippines must be vigilant in the face
of mass-casualty events that threaten the disaster-prone country every year, by
drafting more volunteers and training them on disaster response skills,” said
PRC chairman Richard Gordon.
Accordingly,
MVR-2 would showcase how PRC handled and managed in saving lives using new strategies
and optimizing joint ventures with other sectors of the society.
Registration
fee was P20.00 for students and P100.00 for adults, professionals and workers. (FPG/MAA/PIA-Zamboanga
del Norte)