Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Wednesday honored barangay officials, donors, and volunteers who have supported the government’s National Voluntary Blood Services Program.
In the first recognition and awarding ceremonies for individuals that contributed to the success of the program at the city hall, Estrada and Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial awarded plaques of appreciation to barangay officials, doctors and health center personnel, and regular volunteer blood donors.
“The act of donating blood is an act of generosity. It is a humanitarian gesture which is made even more meaningful since we do not know beforehand who is it exactly that we are helping,” Estrada said, emphasizing the importance of blood donation in saving the lives of millions of Filipinos.
“We hold this event to recognize their sincere help and support to the blood donation to help to our countrymen,” he added of the awardees.
NVBSP is the blood donation program of the Department of Health created in accordance with Republic Act No. 7719, also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994.
The law promotes voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood, and to regulate blood banks as it aims to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act.
In the City of Manila, Estrada said the Manila Health Department has been active in supporting the blood program by conducting regular blood-letting missions in coordination with the barangay officials and partners like the Philippine Blood Center.
This, he said, is part of his administration’s comprehensive healthcare program for indigent residents.
MHD chief Dr. Benjamin Yson said they have been doing blood-letting operations regularly, since donated blood can only be used by patients within two to three months.
“Just in case a disaster happens, we need thousands of donors, that’s why we need a lot of donors,” he pointed out.
Yson said those who were cited by Estrada and DOH also included volunteers who tirelessly recruit blood donors in the communities, and health workers who help in the screening and other technical and administrative processes.