BRIEF HISTORY
A chronology of significant events
1899, February 17
Through the initiative of Apolinario Mabini, the Malolos
Republic approved the Constitution of the National
Association of the Red Cross. Mrs. Hilario del Rosario de
Aguinaldo was appointed President of the Association.
1900, August 29
Felipe AgoncilloInternational Delegate of Diplomacy, met
with Gustave Moynier, an original member of the Committee of
Five and ICRC President, for the recognition of the Filipino
Red Cross Society and application of the 1864 Geneva
Convention during, the Filipino-American war.
1905, August 30
The Philippine Branch of the American National Red Cross (ANRC)
was organized by Filipino and American leaders at the
Ayuntamiento.
1917, December 4
The Philippine Branch was officiary recognized as a Chapter
of the ANRC.
1934
President Manuel L. Quezon took the initiative to establish
an independent Philippine Red Cross. Not until the
Philippines became independent did this materialize because
the Commonwealth cannot sign the Geneva Conventions.
1942
A Japanese-controlled Philippine Red Cross was created to
take care of internment camps located in the country.
1945
Upon the liberation of Manila, local Red Cross officials and
the ANRC undertook to reconstitute the organization.
1946, December 1
Thirty-six Red Cross chapters were initially set up in the
country. The first Filipino Red Cross Manager, Dr. J.
Horacio Yanzon, was appointed.
1947, February 14
President Manuel A. Roxas signed the Treaty of Geneva and
the Prisoners of War Convention.
March 22
President Roxas signed the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)
Charter, Republic Act 95.
March 29
Mrs. Aurora Aragon Quezon, the first PRC Chairman, received
a cable from Geneva indicating that the ICRC approved to
recognize the PRC.
April 15
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) was inaugurated in
colorful ceremonies at the Malacañang Palace.
Sept. 17
The PRC was admitted as a bonafide member of the League of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (now known as the
Federation).
1997, April 15
The PRC celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
2009
The consolidation of the Senate Bill 3285 and House Bill
6509 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and is
now known as Republic Act No. 10072 or The Philippine Red
Cross Act of 2009.
The said act is basically an affirmation of the country's
"conformity with the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their
additional protocols, and the Statutes of the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement," as well as a
confirmation of Philippine Red Cross' stand as a "voluntary,
independent and autonomous nongovernmental society auxiliary
to the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in the
humanitarian field."
Apart from the apparent change in the organization's name
from "Philippine National Red Cross" to "Philippine Red
Cross" - included in the Act's new provisions is the
organizations' exemption from real property taxes, direct
and indirect taxes, duties and fees that will emerge from
its operations and its exclusive importations and purchases.
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