by Paul Rillorta


 “Blood donation is a humanitarian act” (RA 7719).

Banking on this principle and in order to strengthen voluntary blood donation in the city, Councilo Erdolfo Balajadia passed a measure for the creation of the City Local Blood Council (CLBC).

The CLBC will be organized as a non-profit, non-government, multi-sectoral group with members coming from the city government and private sector of the local community committed to support the blood program of the government.

“When this is realized, it will ensure adequate supply of blood through blood promotion of voluntary blood donation for our people especially our indigent residents,” Balajadia said.


The blood council will spearhead the planning, organization, and coordination of implementing a local blood donation program of the local government, non-government organizations, companies, religious and civic actions groups,and universities on a monthly basis to ensure adequate supply of safe blood for the community.
The council will be sourcing out financial and other support from allocations of the city government, contributions from the business sector, contributions from the Philippine Red Cross-National Blood Service, fund raising activities of the community, grants from donor agencies (local and international), contributions from civic, religious and non-government organizations, contributions from the mass media, grants from government, financial institutions and subsidy from hospitals, private, and government to support the Local Blood Donation Program.

The proposed ordinance will hope to strengthen Department of Health Administrative order 2010-02 pertinent to the establishment and operation of a local blood council to support the implementation of National Voluntary Blood Service Program (NVBSP) for blood safety, adequacy, quality care and patient safety in every region.

Balajadia said, "This will bolster RA 7719 or the National Blood Service Act of 1994 in promoting voluntary blood donations in the city."

This will also strengthen the mandate of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) as one of the key organizations tasked in providing safe blood for the people.

The PRC-Baguio chapter to date gives comprehensive blood services in the city including donor recruitment, blood testing, blood processing, blood storage and supply to hospitals. (PR-PIO Baguio City/PIA CAR)