ILOILO City — Local governments across Western Visayas are being urged to make voluntary blood donation a regular part of disaster preparedness and public health programs, as authorities stressed that an adequate blood supply could prove critical when emergencies and disasters strike.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6 called on local government units (LGUs) to actively support blood donation drives in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and other licensed blood service facilities.
DILG-6 regional director Juan Jovian Ingeniero recently issued a memorandum to the agency’s provincial and city directors encouraging LGUs to support voluntary blood donation activities.
Ingeniero said the initiative is part of continuing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and public health resilience, noting that a readily available blood supply is essential to emergency response.
As vice chair for disaster preparedness of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), DILG-6 recognizes blood availability as a crucial component of community readiness.
“Blood remains an irreplaceable life-saving resource that is critically needed during disasters, medical emergencies, surgical procedures, and other health-related incidents. Ensuring sufficient blood inventory contributes significantly to the preparedness and resilience of communities before, during, and after emergencies,” Ingeniero said.
DILG provincial and city directors were urged to coordinate with LGUs to promote voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation as a regular community preparedness initiative.
LGUs were also encouraged to organize and support blood donation activities with the PRC, mobilize community participation and, whenever practicable, integrate blood donation into local disaster preparedness, public health and community resilience programs.
“Your support in promoting this initiative will greatly contribute to ensuring the availability of safe and adequate blood supply for patients and communities in need, particularly during emergencies and disasters,” Ingeniero added.
The appeal comes as the PRC-Iloilo Chapter seeks to collect 25,000 blood units this year, equivalent to at least one percent of the combined population of Iloilo City and Iloilo province.
As of June 2026, the chapter had collected more than 10,000 blood units, leaving a substantial gap toward its annual target.
Last month, PRC-Iloilo Chapter blood center manager Dr. Carlo Nolan Carado appealed to qualified residents to become donors. Those aged 18 to 60, in good health and weighing at least 50 kilograms may donate blood at the PRC-Iloilo Chapter on Bonifacio Drive in City Proper.
Potential donors undergo screening by PRC nurses and doctors to determine whether they are healthy and fit to donate. They are also advised to eat breakfast and refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking before donating.
Carado stressed that donating blood can save or extend the lives of patients who urgently need transfusions.
“Gamay lang gid nga sakit ang inyo mabatyagan pero ang kalipay nga makabulig ikaw or mapa-extend ang life sang mga tawo nga mabuligan sa imo nga pag-donate sang dugo, daku gid ina nga bagay,” he added.
Data from the PRC-Iloilo Chapter showed that the blood products most frequently requested by patients are Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs), whole blood, platelet concentrate and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)./PN
