Red Cross: Always First, Always Ready, Always There*

* Speech of RAMON “Toto” CUA LOCSIN during the PNRC Aklan Chapter, Chapter Assembly held on May 17, 2008, Nenette’s Garden, Andagao, Kalibo, Aklan

Greetings!

First and foremost, allow me to thank you for the support you and your chapter have extended to me as candidate for a seat in the Board of Governors of the Philippine National Red Cross. I would like to assure you of an active and consistent advocacy for the chapters particularly the chapters in the Visayas area. I would also like to congratulate the Board of Directors, chapter personnel and volunteers for organizing this Chapter Assembly.
The Red Cross finds itself today in an interesting era. This is an era characterized by great challenges posed by both man-made and natural disasters, destruction of the environment, mutated diseases and even by irresponsible development. We find ourselves at the mercy of the elements and more often than not our actions are characterized by mere responses – that is, we make ourselves present after a disaster or after misfortune has struck.
Our Red Cross must redefine itself to cope with all the trials and hurdle all the obstacles that must come our way. We must be pro-active rather than just reactive. We must learn to think ahead of the situation before it happens so that, if it does, we are prepared to cope and address the situation. That is exactly why we would like to rally around the cry – Red Cross: Always First, Always Ready, Always There! We need to instill into the consciousness of our citizens that the red Cross is more than just a relief and first aid institution.
More than just a source of life saving blood, the Red Cross must be seen as a way of life and an integral part of our existence. That the citizens must see the Red Cross as a symbol of hope and a rallying beacon for all to come together and help one another. It is in this light that we need to strengthen our corps of volunteers and enhance the skills of those who are already available. We must increase our preparedness and response mechanisms so that we have the necessary logistics at hand when the times call for them. And above all, the Red Cross name must be a household name – trusted by everyone and respected by everyone.
I encourage you all to be active in your pursuit for the continuing transformation of our Red Cross. We cannot be second for we are the best humanitarian institution in the Philippines. Realizing this vision in the Philippines…and in the province of Aklan in particular – lies in the hearts, minds and hands of people like you who do not mind sacrificing time, talent and other resources to alleviate the suffering of those in disasters, in armed conflict, in vulnerable situations and in many other faces of human sufferings.
In this, your Chapter Assembly, I would like to request you to firm up your dedication to the Aklan Red Cross, as more and more people in crisis situations need us and our voluntary services. We are challenged to bring the Philippines National Red Cross closer to the communities of people that cry for our aid, to bridge gaps in society so that those in sufferings will not lose their human dignity but keep it intact.
We are determined to help more people through a more holistic approach through our six major services: Blood Services, Disaster Management, Safety Services, Community Health & Nursing, Social Services and Volunteer Service.
We are being called to be always first in rendering services to those in need because time is of the essence in our calling. We are expected to be always ready to serve because crises can’t wait and demands precision that could only come from professional training such as those you undergo in the Red Cross. We are summoned to be always there, making ourselves steadfastly available to lend a helping hand, aware that in many cases our presence itself is service enough.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for your commendable volunteerism. I hope that through you, the PNRC-Aklan Chapter will play its full and destined part in the service of humanity along with other PNRC Chapters to afford all possible relief and help to the suffering and distressed people wherever and whenever possible.
I wish you all the best, even as I assure you of my constant support. Thank you and God Bless! /MP