(EI NAZARENO-BALLESTEROS)
TACLOBAN CITY- Whenever the name Philippine Red Cross is mentioned, what immediately gets into people’s mind is unselective extension of assistance including financing of projects.
This, however, was clarified by PRC chairman Richard “Dick” Gordon and secretary-general Gwendolyn Pang who both underscored that the PRC carefully study first a proposed undertaking before giving their approval.
One of these is the proposal made by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources(BFAR) national director Asis Perez for the financing of freezers for the fisherfolks in Samar gravely affected by supertyphoon Yolanda in November last year.
Although Gordon gave special time to listen to Asis who made a video presentation on the damage sustained by the fishermen and the efforts they are undertaking to help them, he did not gave a categorical statement whether they will provide assistance to fishing sector.
Asis was designated by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala early last month as his point man to oversee the rehabilitation efforts of their department in the region.
Pang stressed that PRC is very careful in doing things and study well so that it can really give the right help to those who need it. The PRC give focus on shelter, livelihood, health, education and disaster risk reduction as their contribution in helping Yolanda survivors.
As of now PRC is currently working in ten locations namely Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Ormoc, Cebu, Palawan, Aklan, Iloilo, Capiz and Antique.
Gordon emphasized that more funds are needed by the PRC to achieve the goals set in the rehabilitation efforts, while continually providing relief assistance whenever necessary.
He said that the PRC contributes about 25 percent to the total recovery effort in the country, making it a key player in the rebuilding attempts in all Yolanda-affected areas.
For now, the PRC targets to build 150,000 typhoon-resistant permanent houses for Yolanda survivors who totally lost their homes. The funds available for now, however, are good to complete 100,000 homes, Pang added.
On health, the PRC is set to repair, rehabilitate or even build new health facilities adding that they are very keen in supporting hospitals, especially the rural health units in far-flung areas.
The agency is likewise working on the completion of 400 classrooms in affected areas in Leyte. (EILEEN NAZARENO-BALLESTEROS)
