Gordon gets another term as Red Cross chairman

Having proven that his leadership of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has made the latter the premiere humanitarian organization in the country, Senator Richard J. Gordon was given another mandate by the PRC's Board of Governors when it re-elected Gordon as chairman during their election last Thursday.

Gordon, PRC chairman for three consecutive terms now, expressed his gratitude for the support and confidence his colleagues manifested in electing him for the fourth time.

"I am very grateful to my colleagues for the support and confidence that they have shown by renewing my mandate to lead the Philippine Red Cross to greater heights in humanitarian service and alleviating suffering humanity, especially those who are most vulnerable," he said.

"I enjoin everyone in the organization to work with me for its continuous growth so we can sustain the Philippine Red Cross' image and status as the premier humanitarian organization in the Philippines, in terms of services provided and number of people served," he added.

Aside from Gordon, the newly-elected officers of the Board of Governors include Leslie W. Espino, vice chairman; Corazon Alma G. de Leon, secretary; Atty. Rodolfo O. Reyes, assistant secretary; Leonida B. Ortiz, treasurer; Ramon C. Locsin, assistant treasurer; and Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, counselor.

The Board of Governors selected Reyes and Patajo-Kapunan as members of the Board. Chester Villanueva, National Youth Council president, was also welcomed as a member of the Board to represent the youth.

Gordon, who has served as a volunteer in the Red Cross for more than four decades, strengthened and modernized the rescue capabilities of the organization through the acquisition of emergency response vehicles including ambulances, fire trucks and first aid motorcycles.

He also initiated the establishment of an additional 27 blood service facilities, making all 96 local Red Cross chapters capable of blood banking services, as well as acquired new equipment for the Operations Center to ensure efficiency and quick response in disaster monitoring.

With these new support services, Red Cross is more equipped and ready for rescue and retrieval operations during disasters.

Gordon's leadership likewise paved the way for the PRC to become a donor society and reciprocated assistance from other national societies. Thus, the PRC contributed funds to help victims in other disaster-stricken nations such as the Asian tsunami disasters, hurricane Katrina in the United States and the recent Haiti earthquake, among others.

"I hope to strengthen the Philippine Red Cross even more" the re-elected PRC chairman said.