CEBU, Philippines – The Philippine Red Cross has granted Lapu-Lapu City P4 million in financial assistance in time for the celebration of the World First Aid Day.
Mayor Paz Radaza and PRC officials led by their Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang signed the memorandum of agreement witnessed by the Red Cross volunteers and staff.
The agreement stipulates that blood station services and first aid trainings will be made available to the residents of the city.
"First aid can be done anytime, anywhere and is accessible to all," Pang said. "First aid can spell the difference between life and death."
Pang added that aside from the contract, three motorcycles and a vehicle will be given by the humanitarian organization for Lapu-Lapu's disaster management needs.
Radaza in response said that the city government is more than willing to partner with Red Cross in serving the people.
"Truth to be told, this organization has saved countless of lives," she said.
PRC's office is located in Barangay Poblacion and their blood station is near Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob.
Vic Jay Gonzal, chapter administrator of PRC, said the contract allows them to pay one peso per day within the span of 25 years.
According to the research cited by Pang, five out of 10 die of heart disease which is the number one health problem and leading cause of death in the country.
First aid lectures and demonstrations will be given by licensed first aiders. Among these are shock positioning, bleeding control and bandaging, as well as adult, child and infant CPR.
The mayor emphasized that this measure will give every person a chance to be the rescuers on their own and need not to be experts.
"I believe we can contribute to lessen the number of casualties each year," Radaza said.