Bataan Governor Enrique T. Garcia Jr. (2nd from left) hands to Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon a check for P2.5 million representing a donation from the province to victims of typhoon Pablo in New Bataan, Compostela Valley. Looking on are Bataan’s 2nd district Rep. Albert Garcia and Red Cross governor Carissa Coscolluela. BUTCH GUNIO

BALANGA CITY, Bataan–The local government of Bataan has come to the aid of its namesake in Mindanao, the disaster-ravaged town of New Bataan in Compostela Valley, by contributing to the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the Philippine Red Cross in the area.

Bataan Governor Enrique T. Garcia Jr. handed to PRC chairman Richard Gordon a check for the amount of P2.5 million to support the ongoing humanitarian activities of the PRC in New Bataan.

“The devastation wrought by Typhoon Pablo is so enormous that we are compelled to commiserate with our brothers in New Bataan and help them make a fresh start especially this New Year,” Garcia said.

“After the initial relief phase of the operations in New Bataan, we want to help make sure that people’s lives are brought back to normal or even better than before so that they can once again be productive members of the community,” he said.

According to Gordon, the PRC has implemented a six-month relief operation in New Bataan which includes food items, sleeping kits, and water distribution.

“Besides relief operations, we are also setting up health and medical stations to address the basic medical needs of the people as well as implementing a shelter and housing program so that those who have lost their homes can move into new ones and rebuild their lives with dignity,” Gordon said.

“We are grateful for the support of the people of Bataan, who have been invaluable partners of the PRC over the last few years in many of our disaster efforts, such as during Typhoons Ondoy and Sendong,” he said.

Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/01/09/bataan-donates-to-typhoon-pablo-victims/