Philippine Red Cross | Humanitarian Organization in the Philippines

Metro Manila, 3 May 2024 – The contributions of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to the progress and development of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine (UPCM) was recognized by UP Manila’s new and 10th Chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tee during his investiture ceremony last April 30. 

Dr. Tee personally expressed his gratitude to PRC Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon for initiating and spearheading the provision of full scholarships to 24 economically disadvantaged students of UPM. The PRC is notably the biggest full scholarship provider of the UPCM, covering the tuition fees, living allowance, and  transportation allowance, among others, of medical students and those enrolled from allied health programs. 

Chairman Gordon congratulated and thanked Dr. Tee for acknowledging the efforts of PRC. He also reaffirmed his commitment to helping the country address its shortage of doctors, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as the majority of the country’s medical personnel seek better opportunities abroad.

“At the PRC, we only have the “common tao” but we have accomplished a lot. Imagine the possibilities if we could mobilize more doctors for our humanitarian responses. This underscores the importance of investing in the education and future of the youth because it ensures a far-reaching impact for the whole society in the long run,” said Chairman Gordon. 

Dr. Tee also acknowledged the support provided by the PRC during countless fire emergencies at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in recent years while Chairman Gordon also recognized Dr. Tee’s contributions to PRC’s COVID-19 Operations. It can be noted that Dr. Tee, in 2021, led the research study that validated the use of saliva for the diagnosis of COVID-19 –  a collaborative project of PRC, University of Illinois, and UP Manila. 

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Metro Manila, 8 April 2024 – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is selected as one of the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies (RCRC NS) assigned to develop advanced methods to strengthen the Resource Mobilization Development (RMD) and financial sustainability of NS in the Asia Pacific region. 

During the three-day Joint Resource Mobilization Development (RMD) Meeting last April 3-5, facilitated by PRC and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the PRC, Fiji Red Cross Society, Mongolian Red Cross Society, and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), other NS, Partner National Societies, and International Committee of the Red Cross discussed RM development priorities and co-created country specific and regional implementation pathways towards improved financial sustainability. 

PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang shared that the meeting aims to provide a platform for RCRC NS to converse about the crucial need to advance the financial sustainability among national societies. 

“We have to be forward-looking, to create more sustainable domestic solutions, and to formulate concrete plans of action. Change is not always easy but we have to ask ourselves how we can bring positive change to our financial stability. This is a chance to be more proactive and decide what financial sustainability would look like in the future,” said Dr. Pang.

FRCS Secretary-General, Ragigia Dawai; BDRCS Secretary-General, Kazi Shofiqul Azam, and MRCS Secretary-General, Bolormaa Nordov met with PRC Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon to further discuss the initiative. 

The PRC presented its long-term partnerships with the government and private sector and several of its self-sustaining programs, including commercial first aid, Blood Samaritan Program, and Ambulance Samaritan Program, and discussed how their significantly sustained PRC services. 

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Tagbilaran, Bohol  – On March 26, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard “Dick” Gordon and Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang, along with representatives from the local government unit of Bohol, celebrated the completion of renovations made to its Bohol Chapter, which sustained structural damage during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in 2021.

The renovations, amounting to over P2.7 million, was made possible through the support of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC). 

“I am proud that we are part of Bohol’s progress. When Odette happened, we were among the first in disaster responses and also the first to provide recovery operations not just in Bohol but in the rest of the country. We, at the PRC, are not mere spectators. We take actions, save lives, and leave a mark,” said Chairman Gordon.  

The PRC is recognized to have provided the largest humanitarian aid in Bohol during Typhoon Odette and the 7.2 magnitude Bohol earthquake in 2013. Over PhP200 million worth of assistance was provided to families affected by these disasters alone, including provision of 420 full shelters and repair of 3,182 houses. 

Chairman Gordon and Dr. Pang said that the renovation is one way to strengthen PRC’s service delivery in the region. “It is high time we give our countrymen in Bohol the best humanitarian service we can give,” said Dr. Pang. 

“Each day, the PRC responds to various emergencies. It’s crucial for everyone to know the importance of empowering our communities, households, and schools with vital skills like first aid and disaster preparedness. We cannot save people if we are not there, but with a first aider in every home, immediate action becomes feasible.”

The PRC will recruit more volunteers, conduct first-aid training in communities, and facilitate blood donation drives in the forthcoming months in the Visayas region. At present, the PRC has a disaster resilience project in Bohol with focus on nature-based solutions. 

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Rotary Club of Manila (RCM), Rotaract Club of Manila (RAC Manila), and Rotary Club of De La Salle University (RAC DLSU) signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) yesterday at RCM’s 27th weekly membership meeting in Makati City.

“We just sent 20 bags of blood in Davao de Oro because of the landslide. In this country, the Philippine Red Cross is the biggest supplier of blood. If you need blood, just call 143 and we will deliver blood to hospitals. We have the Blood Samaritan Program for those who cannot afford blood processing fees. Through this MOA, I hope that we can have an active partnership with the Rotary Club” said PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon.

The agreement states that the RCM, RCA Manila, and RAC DLSU shall continue to conduct mobile blood donations every year with the PRC to ensure sufficient blood supply in the country. In 2023, the PRC supplied 60% of the country’s demand for blood; this year, the foremost humanitarian organization aims to supply about 70%.

Aside from the intensified blood donation partnership, the Rotary Club also encourages its members to be part of the PRC’s Enhanced Platinum Membership, a program that offers accidental, death, disablement, dismemberment, medical, burial assistance, and hospitalization benefits with an annual fee of P1,200. The members are also entitled to free ambulance service and one blood unit in times of need.

“This MOA sets the stage for Rotarians to donate blood within six months, and this will continue beyond my term. In fact, the major feature of our MOA is to have our members sign up as members of the Philippine Red Cross. We’re looking at the safety and welfare of our members through this joint venture with the PRC,” Rotary Club of Manila President Rafael Alunan III added.

The RCM has been an active ally of the PRC Blood Services since 2009; almost 300 blood units were accumulated in total. Aside from the blood donation partnership with the PRC, the RCM also donated more than 400 wheelchairs to numerous people with mobility impairments in the country through its Imagine Rotary: Mobility for Dignity program that started last year.

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