World Blood Donor Day celebrated in Muntinlupa

The Philippines joined the international community in celebrating the World Blood Donor Day with the theme, “Be there for someone else. Give Blood. Share Life.” last June 14 at Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Tunasan.

A program was held at Muntinlupa Sports Complex following a motorcade and a mobile blood donation activity.

The Department of Health announced that it has finally realized its goal of collecting one million blood units from the total population after the enactment of National Blood Services Act two decades ago.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III emphasized in his message, represented by DOH-NCR Regional Director Dr. Corazon Flores, “The Department of Health continues to promote the regular, year-round blood donation as a means to save lives. We are immensely grateful to the blood donors for their voluntary and sincere effort to be of help to those in need.”

DOH-NCR Regional Director Dr. Corazon Flores, representing Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, gives a plaque of recognition to Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi for his invaluable support to the conduct of World Blood Donor Day in the city last June 14. Fresnedi is a “blood galloner” and a National Sandugo Hall of Fame Awardee for Outstanding Local Chief Executive. The City Government of Muntinlupa hosted the World Blood Donor Day with the local theme “Dugong Bigay, Dugtong Buhay,” which aims to encourage the public to continuously donate blood and to promote blood donation as an act of solidarity that highlights the fundamental values of altruism, respect, empathy, and kindness.

Other officials attending the program include Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Congressman Ruffy Biazon, Philippines Blood Coordinating Council president Dr. Gary Ong, Philippine Red Cross secretary general Atty. Oscar Palabyab, Blood Galloners Club president Col. Joel Torregoza, among others.

This year’s celebration is hosted by the City Government of Muntinlupa, a model local government on voluntary blood donation in the country.

Muntinlupa City was among pioneering local government which championed voluntary blood donation. The LGU started the implementation of its National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) in November 1998 and has established its Muntinlupa Blood Council on 2001.

The city’s blood services program was recognized by the DOH and given the Jose Rizal Award on 2015 and 2017, the agency’s highest citation in the Dugong Bayani Awards, and the Andres Bonifacio Award on 2016 and 2017.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi vowed to continue his support in the implementation of NVBSP and encouraged residents to participate in mobile blood donation activities in the city. Fresnedi is a “blood galloner” and a National Sandugo Hall of Fame Awardee for Outstanding Local Chief Executive.

The World Blood Donor Day was organized by the Department of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization, Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Blood Coordinating Council, Dugong Pinoy Association Inc., Blood Galloners Club, Muntinlupa Blood Council, and Muntinlupa LGU.