The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Pampanga–Angeles City Chapter is establishing its first permanent headquarters after 78 years, following a 300-square-meter land donation from the Lazatin family at the Eastgate Commercial Center in Barangay San Jose, City of San Fernando . The groundbreaking ceremony on August 4, 2026, marked the end of nearly eight decades of the chapter operating out of shared space at the provincial capitol.
A Legacy of Generosity and Community Service
The donation, formalized through a Deed of Donation, secures a permanent home for the chapter after it vacated the provincial capitol property it had occupied for 78 years . While the provincial government provided a temporary office, the chapter needed a lasting base to keep its vital services running without interruption . PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon expressed gratitude for the family's "humanitarian kindness," emphasizing that a Red Cross chapter must have a permanent home to continue serving communities without interruption .
The donation honors a family legacy started by the late Jesus S. Lazatin, a former PRC Governor who played a pivotal role in rebuilding the chapter after it was damaged by lahar in the wake of the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption . Today, his son Jaime T. Lazatin continues that legacy as the Chapter Board Treasurer, ensuring the family's decades-long partnership with the PRC endures.
A Strategic Location for Faster Emergency Response
The new facility's location at the Eastgate Commercial Center, near the expressway, will drastically reduce emergency response times during accidents and disasters . PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang highlighted that the building represents an investment in stronger emergency response and better services for the people of Pampanga, allowing teams to reach accident scenes more quickly and save more lives when every minute counts .
The new headquarters will expand the chapter's capacity to provide blood services, health programs, volunteer development, and disaster assistance in Pampanga and neighboring communities . The donation follows a previous act of generosity from the Lazatin family, who provided free space at the EastGate Center, where the chapter currently operates a blood service center and a clinic . The new building is expected to become more than an administrative office—a place where lives are saved, volunteers are inspired, and the spirit of compassion continues to grow for generations .
