PRC recognizes Tabak troopers as modern day heroes

By Gideon C. Corgue

Saturday 4th of August 2012

PAGADIAN CITY, Aug 4 (PIA) -- Tabak troopers of the military were chosen as one of the modern day heroes by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Zamboanga del Sur chapter, in the culmination of Blood Donors’ month Tuesday afternoon at City Commercial Center here.

1st Infantry Tabak commander BGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III was grateful that the officers and men of the headquarters were chosen by the PRC.

In his message delivered by assistant division commander BGen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, the general said he is “very grateful for the rare opportunity to be among these modern heroes, the blood donor volunteers, who selflessly share their precious time and blood for others.”

Cruz said the 1st Infantry division has participated in 178 various blood-letting activities during the past three years as a manifestation of their active support to the PRC’s goal of saving lives.

Cruz assured PRC that the Tabak division is more than willing to maintain the strong partnership in the spirit of selfless service.

“We are not only here to recognize our donor-volunteer heroes but also affirm our commitment and concern to the very people with which the AFP and the PRC have pledged to serve and protect. Through our continuing partnership, I am very confident that we will save as many as we can in the coming years,” Cruz said.

PRC administrator Hildaliza Muñoz said this year, the 1st Infantry division, a regular blood donor, has donated 360 bags or an equivalent of 162,000 cc of blood to PRC. “These bags of blood were collected from the headquarters’ personnel and from the Candidate Soldier applicants,” she said.

Blood services committee chair Perla Delverio admonished the blood galloners and blood donors to maintain and sustain donating blood saying that blood by itself is life. “Without blood, we might loss the gift of life,” she said.

Muñoz recognized and sincerely thanked the generous blood donors and sponsors from government agencies, non-government and civic organizations for their vital contribution in their blood drive by awarding them plaques, pins and certificates. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)C/PIA9-Zambosur)