Friday, January 26, 2007 Iloilo Red Cross sets first aid services
FOR this year's Dinagyang Festival, the Philippine National Red Cross Iloilo Chapter is dispatching 150 trained emergency care providers in 15 strategic places around Iloilo City.
These emergency personnel are trained volunteers from the various Red Cross Youth councils in Iloilo supported by professional volunteers from Red Cross trained communities.
The Red Cross is presently conducting briefings to recognized competent volunteers for assignment to the 15 first aid stations and six ambulance services.
Red Cross Chapter Administrator Maria Gracia "Snow" A. Chua said the first aid stations will be on Plaza Libertad, Freedom Grandstand (performance area), JM Basa-Guanco Streets, JM Basa-Aldeguer (City Square), JM Basa-Arsenal, Plazoleta Gay (performance area), Iznart-Delgado, Iznart-Solis, Casa Plaza/Atrium (performance area), Quezon-Delgado (Narita), Quezon-Ledesma (performance area), Valeria-Ledesma (PBCom), Iznart-Ledesma, Iznart-de Leon (China Bank) and Maria Clara (performance area).
The trained first-aiders are doing voluntary work for the Red Cross and have been arms of the organization in every significant activity as well as in the delivery of various Red Cross services.
Aside from the Kasadyahan and Dinagyang tribe competitions on Saturday and Sunday, the Red Cross is mobilizing first aiders and its ambulance service to provide emergency during concerts and fluvial parade, which are all part of the festival's activities.
The Red Cross is a member of the Dinagyang Health/First Aid Committee headed by City Health Officer Dr. Urminico Barond and co-chaired by Chua.
Chua said that the commitment is set to ensure that first aid ambulance services are all ready in times of emergency or when certain individuals need immediate help during the Kasadyahan and Dinagyang activities.
