As part of the support provided by the Taiwan Red Cross (TRC) to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the TRC turned over a tanker with 10,000 liter capacity to continuously provide safe and clean water to the most vulnerable in times of disaster and emergencies.
The handing over of the water tanker amounting to PHP 1, 650, 000 million was held in the PRC Tower National Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
PRC Chairman and C.E.O Richard J. Gordon and PRC Secretary General Oscar P. Palabyab graced the ceremonial turnover together with TRC’s Acting Deputy Director of Communications and Development and Focal Person for Philippine Operation, Mr. Andy Li.
“We are grateful for the generosity of Taiwan Red Cross in giving much needed support to the PRC. It helps our disaster response capacity on WASH. With this water tanker we can ensure that this will help to deliver clean water to the people affected by disaster, epidemics and conflicts like the case in Marawi,” said Chairman Gordon.
The TRC has been a long time partner of the PRC as they supported several of its projects such as the Typhoon Haiyan Recovery Programme on Core Shelter in the provinces of Cebu and Capiz. They also supported the costs on maintenance and incoming operations of the newest vessel of the PRC, M/V Amazing Grace.
The PRC with the support coming from their partners has been acquiring resources like water tankers for its logistical capacity to promote Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene program (WASH). It is also a key component of basic elements in providing safe water supply from source, to treatment unit, to delivery and storage, up to the distribution.
“As part of commitment in delivering life-saving measures, the PRC continuously improve and increase its capacity by acquiring more resources to deliver free and safe drinking water to the most vulnerable during the extended emergency phase, particularly following the disasters and epidemics or outbreaks,” added Gordon.
To date, PRC has now 14 water tankers in different regions in the country to provide safe water as well as to strengthen the regional WASH hubs located in different regions including Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Subic, Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo, Negro Occidental, Cebu, Leyte. Zamboanga, Iligan, Davao City, General Santos and Agusandel Sur.