The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has hailed three Valenzuela City-based volunteers for their outstanding contribution to the humanitarian organization.

 

In a ceremony during the PRC 30^th Biennial National Convention held Tuesday, January 28, at the Manila Hotel, Valenzuela City First District Representative Sherwin T. Gatchalian and CDO Foodsphere founder Corazon Dayro-Ong were honored with the Silver Humanitarian Service Cross Award, while PRC Valenzuela City Chapter Chairman Elizabeth Chongco was recognized with the Aurora Aragon Quezon Medal.

 

The Silver Humanitarian Service Cross Award is given when there is “outstanding leadership that is reflected in the progress or achievement of the office/chapter/unit where the nominee has served, or for outstanding service in the promotion of the [PRC] mission.”  

 

A PRC Governor since 2011, Cong. WIN has been supporting the local PRC chapter since his first term as representative from 2001 to 2004, and through his term as city mayor from 2004 to 2013.

 

In 2009, the city government allotted PhP 3 million to PRC Valenzuela City to revive the Red Cross 143, or volunteers based in all 33 barangays in the city.

 

The following year, PRC Valenzuela City organized Red Cross Youth Councils in all public and private schools in the city.

 

Cong. WIN in the same year appealed to the International Aid Korea for donations of medical equipment, hygiene supplies and vitamins for PRC Valenzuela City.

 

This is the third time that PRC is recognizing Cong. WIN. He was first cited in 2008 with a PRC Diploma of Merit Medal, Bronze; and in 2011, his efforts to uphold the PRC cause were recognized with the Aurora Aragon Quezon Award.

 

On the other hand, Ong herself is a previous Aurora Aragon Quezon Award and a recipient of Diploma of Merit Medal, Gold. For the past 15 years, her company CDO Foodsphere has been bolstering PRC Valenzuela City through cash and in-kind donations.

 

Former city councilor Elizabeth Chongco, the founder of PRC Valenzuela City Chapter in 1998, has been tapping the private sector for donations, making the PRC Valenzuela surpass its financial goals through the years. In 2009, the chapter was hailed as the Chapter of the Year Category B.

 

City Mayor REX Gatchalian was glad that his fellow Valenzuelanos were recognized in this significant event. He commented, “I would like to refer to the citations as a ‘collective achievement.’ This is a humble indication that many of us, Valenzuelanos, have strong sense of volunteerism, hence, our resiliency.”