ILOILO City — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Iloilo Chapter has begun preparing for an expected increase in blood demand in the coming months as health authorities anticipate a rise in dengue cases during the rainy season, while simultaneously urging more Ilonggos to donate blood to keep supplies stable.
Dr. Carlo Nolan Carado, blood center manager of PRC-Iloilo Chapter, said the organization is already anticipating higher blood utilization, particularly in October and November, when dengue cases traditionally increase and hospitals also handle more surgical and obstetric procedures.
Aside from dengue patients, blood supplies are also needed for obstetrician-gynecologist patients and individuals undergoing various medical operations.
PRC-Iloilo currently caters to an average of 50 blood requests daily and supplies blood products to more than 20 hospitals across Iloilo City and the province.
Despite the projected increase in demand, Carado assured the public that the blood center has sufficient stocks and remains capable of meeting requirements.
“Sufficient gid ang nakuha nga blood units sang nagligad nga tuig kag wala sang may nagproblema sa pagpangita or wala sang napatay tungod sa kakulangan sang dugo. Subong, enough ang aton supply,” Carado told Panay News.
The PRC-Iloilo Chapter collected more than 30,000 blood units in 2025, surpassing its target of 25,000 units. This year, it has already collected more than 10,000 blood units toward its 25,000-unit goal.
Carado attributed the stable blood supply to the chapter’s daily blood donation activities and the active participation of local government units and private organizations conducting mobile blood donation drives.
According to Carado, the blood center can accommodate up to 20 blood donors daily. Relatives and friends of patients are also encouraged to donate blood to help replenish stocks released by the blood center.
However, blood collection activities typically slow down during January due to budget constraints affecting local government-sponsored donation drives and during April and May when students, a major source of donors, are unable to participate because of school breaks.
In line with the observance of World Blood Donor Day on June 14, PRC-Iloilo called on healthy individuals aged 18 to 60 years old and weighing at least 50 kilograms to donate blood at its facility along Bonifacio Drive in Iloilo City.
Potential donors must not have consumed alcoholic beverages or smoked prior to donation and should have eaten before visiting the blood center.
All donors undergo health screening by PRC nurses and doctors to ensure they are fit to donate.
“Naga-ask gid kami sang bulig sa mga pumoluyo nga mag-donate sang dugo diri sa aton sa Western Visayas Regional Blood Center ukon sa aton mobile blood donation activities nga naka-schedule sa different local government units,” Carado said.
He emphasized that blood donation remains one of the most meaningful ways to help save lives.
“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 PRC-Iloilo showed that the most commonly requested blood products are Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs), whole blood, platelet concentrate, and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP).
Patients receiving blood products are charged processing fees, including P2,300 for PRBCs, P2,100 for whole blood, and P1,500 for platelet concentrate./PN
