LAOAG CITY, Nov 28 (PNA) –A new three-story Philippine Red Cross building formally opens today (Saturday) as the provincial government of Ilocos Norte officially turns over this important facility to PRC based in this city.
Worth PHP4.4 million pesos, including a PHP600,000 counterpart from the PRC, the Ilocos Norte government funded the building as the previous location of the old PRC building here has been leased for commercial purposes.
Now with a wider space and bigger facility located near the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital along M. H. Del Pilar St. Laoag City, Edna Orcino, PRC administrator of Ilocos Norte said the new building houses a warehouse at the ground floor, an administration center at the second floor and a training hall at the third floor. The third floor however is not yet completed as they have yet to raise more funds for this purpose.
Attended by PRC stakeholders led by Chairman Richard Gordon, Gov. Imee Marcos led the turn-over ceremony today at 9:00 a.m..
After a simple program and blessing of the new facility, Gordon along with the board of directors of PRC thanked all volunteers and benefactors for the improvement of the PRC building and upgrade of its facilities for humanitarian purposes.
During the previous administration of then Governor Michael Marcos Keon, an upgraded blood bank center of Ilocos Norte was also turned over to ensure adequate supply of blood for any type of emergency.
The blood bank center is equipped with modern equipment to store safe blood for those in need. Blood typing and letting activities are also being regularly done for this purpose.(PNA)