ILIGAN CITY (PIA) -- In celebration of the 127th anniversary of the Philippine Army, various operational units and battalions in this city and Lanao del Norte province gathered to participate in a nationwide blood donation activity.  

The  Amai Pakpak Medical Center (AMPC), in partnership with the City Health Office and Caregivers Iligan, collected some 130 blood bags from the enlisted personnel and officials from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, 4th Mechanized Infantry “Kalasag” Battalion, 5th Mechanized Infantry “Kaagapay” Battalion, Combat Engineer Regiment, and 1002nd Community Defense Center.

Colonel Rolando Orengo, deputy brigade commander of the Magbalantay Brigade, emphasized the importance of the partnership with AMPC to ensure a reliable source of blood for military needs that can also benefit civilians in need. 

"Sa ating 127th anniversary ng Philippine Army, hangad namin yung isang matatag na republika, isang komunidad  na payapa na ready para sa  development. Nawa'y magtuloy-tuloy ang development dito  sa area na hindi  na yung dugo  ay masasayang lang sa pakikipagdigma, ngunit magamit din natin sa  isang mapayapang pamamaraan," he said.  

[On our 127th anniversary of the Philippine Army, we aspire for a strong republic and a peaceful community ready for development. May the progress continue in areas where blood is no longer wasted in warfare but rather utilized in peaceful endeavors.]

Meanwhile, Corporal Cristine Joy Aguilar donated blood to help those in need. She has donated blood three times already and encouraged other personnel to do the same.

"Sa laing personnel out there, katong willing mag-donate og dugo, pag-donate namo para makatabang mo sa mga tawo nga nagkinahanglan, especially sa mga wounded nga tropa. Makatabang jud ang dugo," she said  

[To other personnel out there who are willing to donate blood, donate now to help those in need, especially wounded soldiers. Blood truly helps.]

Moreover, Rodrigo Rodriguez, the blood program coordinator of AMPC, emphasized the vital role of blood donation in saving lives. He said that the partnership between the Philippine Army and AMPC has enabled thousands of bags of blood to be collected. AMPC serves as the primary responder, especially for battalions located near Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, and Lanao del Norte. They provide immediate assistance to the wounded before transferring them to other medical facilities.

"Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa invitation ng Philippine Army.  Thank you for choosing Amai Pakpak and supporting the blood program of the Department of Health.  The blood that will be donated will surely save the lives of our people, especially mga  indigents, yung mga kawawa  natin na kababayan na nangangailang ng dugo," he said.  

[We express our gratitude for the invitation from the Philippine Army. Thank you for choosing Amai Pakpak and supporting the blood program of the Department of Health. The donated blood will surely save the lives of our people, especially the indigent members of our community who need blood.]

Rodriguez also urged the public to support the blood donation drive, as donating blood will benefit people's health.  According to him, blood donation stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells and boosts the immune system.

The Task Force Iligan, Magbalantay Brigade, Kalasag Battalion, Kaagapay Battalion, and AMPC also renewed the signing of a memorandum of partnership agreement that there will be regular voluntary blood donation activities twice a year. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)