Subic Freeport, Philippines – The Philippine Red Cross will implement projects in partnership with the Bahrain Red Crescent Society and the Bahrain Royal Charity Organization for the benefit of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda.
In a signing ceremony held in Subic Freeport, Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said that the joint project would benefit the survivors of typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.
Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Roberto Garcia, witnessed the signing ceremonies.
Gordon, who noted that this was the first joint project to be implemented by the Royal Charity Organization of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Philippine Red Cross, said that it demonstrated the friendship ‘ between our two countries can be counted on not only during good times, but also the bad times.
Gordon added that the nearly two million dollars will go to the construction of 500 houses, and a vocational training center in Tacloban. In addition, another vocational training center will be built at the logistics hub of the Philippine Red Cross within the Subic Freeport Zone.
Gordon said that these joint efforts represent a very strong humanitarian effort, and a first between our two countries.
His Highness Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Royal Charity Organization, said that there is a very special bond between Bahrain and the Philippines. Once we heard about the disaster, we responded immediately.
We have an open hand, and an open heart to others, especially the people who survived the disaster. He said.
Sheikh Nasser, who is also a sportsman, said that he wanted to build the vocational training centers in Tacloban and Subic to, really encourage the youth to lead a healthy lifestyle.
He also said that the Philippines, and Subic, in particular, held an attraction for him and that although this is my first time here, it will definitely not be the last.
Dr. Mustafa Al Sayyed, Secretary General of the Royal Charity Organization, said that the joint aid effort in Tacloban flowed out of the good relations between the Philippines and Bahrain. It is in response to the unfortunate event of typhoon Yolanda that hit the Philippines.
Sayyed noted that Sheihk Nasser “made an immediate response, to send aid, and support when he heard of what happened in the Philippines.. “
For his part, Dr. Fawzi Amin, Secretary general of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society, expressed confidence that its counterpart, the Philippine Red Cross, ”will be able to implement the project in the best possible way. There will be more projects like this, and this is just the beginning.”
PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said that such partnerships enable the Philippine Red Cross to reach more beneficiaries and do more for the survivors of typhoon Yolanda.
Pang also said that the training centerswill increase the capacity of the Philippine Red Cross to respond to major disasters, and fortify our volunteers with the knowledge and skills required to perform on multiple fronts.