IMUS, CAVITE — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has finally broken ground on the soon-to-rise Cavite Chapter headquarters office and the province’s first and primary blood center in Vermosa, Imus, Cavite on Aug. 2.  

The three-storey office will house the Blood Center that has the capacity to host large blood drives, and conduct testing and processing of blood that will ensure steady supply of blood for Cavite’s hospitals and patients. 

Since Imus is one of Cavite’s major cities, the local chapter aims to bring PRC’s blood services closer to the general public in the province, making it more accessible and responsive to the needs of communities. Specifically, the Chapter office will serve residents in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th Districts. 

The Imus branch will also be the new main hub for the PRC Cavite Chapter’s operations, and will house a modern disaster communication center and storage for disaster response equipment; multipurpose facilities for trainings and workshops; and meeting spaces for support groups and community gatherings. 

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon led the groundbreaking ceremony alongside Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, and PRC Cavite Chapter Chairman Dir. Gilbert C. Remulla. They were joined by Ayala Land Inc. Senior Vice President and Head of Estates Group Mr. Chris Maglanoc; Ayala Land Vice President and Senior Project Development Head of Ayala Land Estates Ms. Mayi Platero- Rodriguez, Okada Foundation Inc. President Mr. James Lorenzana; First Orient International Ventures Corp. Manager Mr. Ron Andre Lim; other officials from Ayala Land Inc., and Okada Foundation, as well as mayors and representatives of Cavite’s municipalities and cities. 

“This is another step forward for the Red Cross as we extend our blood, health, and welfare services to more people in Cavite, and build a stronger Red Cross network in the country. This brings hope and confidence in the whole province of Cavite. Providing greater access to blood for Filipinos from all walks of life is one of our lifelong missions, and we will make sure that no request for blood is turned away, and all blood needs are met,” said Chairman Gordon. 

“Having a central blood facility in Imus makes the Red Cross well-positioned to provide the blood needs of people in the province, and welcome blood donors from the region. This will also Improve the Red Cross’ capacity to deliver services to the people of Cavite and other nearby regions. Together, we are building a future where support and aid is readily available to people,” said Dr. Pang. 

Early July this year, the PRC received a P60 million donation from the Okada Foundation to construct a Blood Center in Cavite. It will be built on an 859 sqm-property donated by Ayala Land Inc., located at the Vermosa complex in Imus.

Construction of the building and blood center will start in September this year, and are expected to be completed in September 2025. 

“Ayala Land’s donation is a testament to our belief in the Philippine Red Cross mission to provide safe blood supply to the public, ensuring access to lifesaving blood transfusion, and other health services, as well as train 12,000 volunteers in the province,” said Ayala Land Senior Vice President Maglanoc. 

Okada Foundation President Lorenzana added: “This is an opportunity for the Okada Foundation to give back to our people. Our foundation’s main goal is to make and implement projects for health and education. We believe in public and private partnerships to address the needs of our country.” 

As of July this year, the Cavite Chapter has collected 8,609 and dispensed 6,728 blood units, serving 1,369 patients in the province. 

Vermosa is a burgeoning mixed use Ayala Land Estate in Cavite, that is home to residential and commercial developments in the province. The complex offerings, which include retail establishments, residential dwellings, schools, sports facilities and open spaces make it an ideal place for the new Chapter headquarters, catering to locals and visitors alike.

New Red Cross Silang, Cavite branch 

Aside from the groundbreaking ceremony, the PRC also inaugurated the Cavite Chapter’s new Silang branch that features its own blood collecting unit and blood station. 

Gordon and Pang were joined by Cavite Chapter Chairman Remulla, Cavite 5th District Rep. Roy Loyola; and Municipality of Silang Mayor Edward Carranza in the inauguration; all of whom were guided on a tour of the facilities. 

The new branch was funded and provided by the municipal government of Silang, while the renovations and fit-out construction of the office and facilities were supported by the PRC’s BloomberryProject. The project cost was around P1.8 million, funded partially by the Bloomberry Fund, and the PRC General Fund. 

The Silang branch will occupy the left wing of the two-storeybuilding, while the right wing will be the location of the municipal government’s municipal dialysis center. Renovations began on Oct. 3, 2023, ending in June 30, 2024. 

The areas covered by Silang Branch are the 5th District of Cavite (Carmona, GMA and Silang or CARSIGMA), including Tagaytay City. 

Since the Silang Branch chapter began collecting blood on July 11, 2024, it has so far collected 160 blood units, dispensed 85, serving 33 patients.

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