Celebration of Word Red Cross Day benefits indigenous peoples

Written by Analiza S. Macatangay | 10 May 2012

IRIGA CITY -- As all Red Cross societies worldwide and the International Committee of the Red Cross celebrate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, the Philippine Red Cross-Camarines Sur chapter also highlighted the commemoration through a medical mission with the Indigenous People (IP) at Barangay Santa Teresita, here.

Around 100 IPs from the Oyango tribe received free medical assistance and free medicine while 120 community youth volunteers or members of the Red Cross 143 in Barangay San Pedro, in the municipality of Buhi were given first aid training.

Other activities were also launched simultaneously to mark the red day. One of which is the launching of the PRC-Camarines Sur’s Flag Day campaign. The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Youth on the Move.”

The campaign, which started May 8 and will last until May 11, is a fund-raising campaign where youth volunteers are mobilized to solicit donations through the Red Cross cans. For every donation that is dropped in the donation can, donors will be given Red Cross decal “I SERVE.”

In Naga City, members of the Red Cross youth put up free BP checking booths in Naga City and other Filcab terminals alongside with a free blood typing activity. The same was also put in place in SM City Naga to enjoin the shoppers to support the said campaign.

Nanette Rodrigazo, PRC Camarines Sur Chapter Administrator, raised her appeal to the donors to support their fund-raising campaign.

“The annual solicitation of funds is undertaken to sustain the chapter’s programs on blood services, disaster management, and trainings on first aid, basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, home nursing care and psychosocial support program. Every penny that goes to the Red Cross also goes to our beneficiaries who are in dire need of these services,” Rodrigazo said in an interview.

Rodrigazo also emphasized on the important role of the youth in uplifting the most vulnerable. The youth forms a major part in the disaster risk reduction and management, advocacy on voluntary blood donation as young donors themselves, public health information education, participatory hygiene and sanitation, emergency response, and leadership values and formation.

The Philippine Red Cross also strongly supports government efforts to equip the communities, particularly those in disaster prone areas with basic know how and capacities on risk reduction management. (MAL/LSM-PIA5, Camarines Sur)