Spirit of volunteerism prevails in Panay Island

Panay Island is home to thousands of volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) which aim to alleviate human suffering and uplift the dignity of the most vulnerable in the province.

One of the long-time volunteers is Fortunato “Tatoy” Espinosa of Iloilo City, who celebrated his 90th birthday.

Tatoy is often cited by PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon for his entrepreneurial skills that gave rise to the now-famous Manokan and Seafood Restaurant at Sto. Niño, Arevalo, Iloilo.

PRC continues to assist the island of Panay through the leadership of Sen. Dick Gordon, to provide houses, cash distribution, blood, vaccination, and other humanitarian interventions, especially during the pandemic.

Through the volunteers, PRC was able to implement and establish its presence to the residents affected by the Typhoon and the pandemic.

To date, PRC was able to build 9,735 houses in Aklan affected by Typhoon Frank in 2009 and Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, 5,956 houses in Antique, 7,091 houses in Capiz, and 6,609 houses in Iloilo. This gives 29,391 families hope to begin and start a new life.

PRC also provided 10,000 livelihood cash assistance to 6,397 families in capiz and 250 families in Aklan through the Sexual and gender-based violence Prevention Project.

To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, PRC inaugurates its 13th molecular laboratory in the country located at Passi, Iloilo to be able to test the residents of Iloilo and nearby provinces. The molecular laboratory in Passi, Iloilo has tested over 21,055 specimens since its inauguration last January 13, 2021.

“Simula noon, hanggang ngayon ay patuloy ang Philippine Red Cross sa pagtulong sa most vulnerable people sa Panay Island. Through our local chapters, mas napapabilis natin ang pagtulong, pag responde, at pagbibigay pag asa sa mga naapektuhan ng bagyo at pandemya. I salute all staff and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross,” Sen. Gordon said.

PRC also continues to support the local government unit in the vaccination program through the continuous deployment of the Bakuna Buses to protect the people from COVID-19. PRC vaccinated a total of 5,574 in Aklan, 12,729 in Iloilo, and 6,247 in Capiz.