P50-million Red Cross disaster management center opens in Iloilo

• Source: http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/22/p50-million-red-cross-disaster-management-center-opens-in-iloilo/
• Sunday, April 23, 2017 10:00 pm

By Tara Yap

Iloilo City — The P50-million disaster management center of the Red Cross opened recently in Passi City, Iloilo.

Senator Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman, said the facility is for training, logistical hub and management that covers Western Visayas region, which was hit by super-typhoon “Yolanda” in November 2013.

The facility is built in partnership with Korean National Red Cross (KNRC) and the local government of Passi, which donated the 1.5 hectare land.

The facility serves as operations center, which will manage efforts of PRC chapters in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces when a disaster strikes.

It has an office space, mess hall, training hall, two dormitories, and two warehouses.

It also has equipment such as ambulance, rescue truck, water tankers, sleeping kits, and hygiene kits.

KNRC Secretary General Gunn-Joong Kim, Chief of Relief Division Dong Kee Kim Deputy Chief of Relief Division Jae Ryul Kim, and Communications Officer Kyung Hwa Kim were present at the April 21 inauguration.

Also present were Iloilo Vice Governor Christine Garin, Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Passi City Mayor Jesry Palmares, PRC Secretary General Oscar Palabyab, and PRC-Iloilo PRC-Iloilo Administrator Gilbert Valderrama.