While the performance of other chapters and organizations declined during the COVID 19 pandemic, the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur  (PRC ADS) chapter performance remain steadfast although the figures sank a little, even with limited resources and movement, while doing in cadence with protocols imposed by the health sector and the government to avoid infection from the dreaded virus.

In a report by Chapter Administrator Darwina Ligan, PRC ADS has maintained its effectiveness in rendering its major services to the Agsurnons.  

Being the flagship service program of the Red Cross which is to deliver adequate, safe and quality blood supply to the most vulnerable, the chapter has still collected a total of 5,698 units in 2020 and 6,635 in 2021, where only 4,945 units were dispensed in 2020 and 5679 units dispensed in 2021, with a difference of 773 units in 2020 and another 956 in 2021 excess units that were used by other hospitals inside and outside the province to save lives. Last year, blood collection reached 8,897 with 7,676 units despensed.

The second major service that Red Cross is rendering is the safety services being one of the leading providers of first aid training in the world. Even with strict government and health sector warnings and reminders, PRC ADS has produced 110 graduates in first aid courses in 2020 and another 242 in 2021 with utmost care and safety methods. Last year, the graduates totaled to 1,213 graduates.

Disaster management services rank third as major service that the PRC ADS is committed. The task is to deliver humanitarian assistance during emergency and disaster situations, through its wide network of well-trained, skilled, and committed staff and volunteers. Therefore, even in a very risky situation due to the threat of COVID-19,  the chapter has served 297 families with food items in 2020 and 251 families in 2021.

And because the province had experienced several floodings last year, distribution of food items reached to 9,873 families.

The fourth major service where the PRC ADS is committed is the health service which is centered on the importance of health promotion and prevention of diseases, ensuring timely response to public health emergencies and the delivery of essential health care services in times of disasters. They also identify communities with gaps on access to health facilities and services. Because of this, health care centers and potable water were constructed and provided with the help of foreign funds coming from other counties. And even in critical condition, the chapter has extended health services to 4,500 people in 2020 and 807 people in 2021. Last year, it has extended health services to 2,544 people.

The fifth is the social services that respond to the needs of the most vulnerable, adhering to the well-being of every individual, and most especially promoting the inherent worth and dignity of human being. And during the pandemic, PRC ADS has conducted the Mental Health and Psychosocial support seminar for COVID-19 volunteers.

The sixth major service is the Red Cross Youth where children, aged 7 to 25 years old, are trained on their role and engagement in the humanitarian works of the Philippine Red Cross that provides them an area to realize their potential in humanitarian leadership. Trainings like team building and leadership were conducted for the youth volunteers to be advocates and models in evading the contamination of COVID-19.

 In the financial aspect, the chapter targeted P22,545,300 collection in 2020 during the height of COVID-19 pandemic and still collected  P13,447,700 with a difference of P9,097,599. But even with a the shortage in collection, the chapter still had a surplus of P1,207,903 because the actual expenses was only P12,239,765.

In 2021, the chapter targeted a P22,086,960 collection and collected only P14,458,141, with a shortage of P7,626,818. But even with a shortage of collection, the chapter still posted a surplus of P1,455,110 because the actual expenses was only P13,003,031.

In 2022, while the chapter targeted P20,547,892, they collected P23,462,687, exceeding it by P2,914,795.

In order to fully revive the enthusiasm of the chapter, an election for a new set of the Board of Directors (BOD) was held on January 10, 2023. Three of the incumbent members of the BOD were replaced by the new elected members, namely Hazel del Rosario, Johnmar Galdiano and Marlita Cortez, Replaced were Frederico Blanco, Avalota Cejas and Almar Lambaco.

A week after the new set of BOD were elected, a meeting was held at the same venue with the election of the new set of officers of the BOD highlighted in the meeting. The new set of officers are: Pastor Solomon Bilaoen, chairman; Jesusimo Ronquillo, vice chairman; Elizabeth Gilot, secretary; Mabe Dalen, treasurer; Charlie Cinco, auditor and David Suyao and Christyll Basan, PIO.

San Francisco Mayor Grace Carmel Paredes-Bravo administered their oath of office.

A strategic planning workshop on the chapter bible of operation for this year was set as agreed by the members of the BOD on February 16 – 18, 2023 including the officers who will represent in the nationwide biennial assembly set on April 2023 in Manila.