ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — Hundreds of voluntary blood blood donation organizers and individuals were recognized by the Philippine Red Cross – Capiz Chapter and Provincial Health Office during the 13th Annual Provincial Sandugo Awards last July 30 in Roxas City.
The awards ceremony, in line with the National Blood Donors Month, was designed to give due recognition to voluntary blood donation partners, stakeholders and donors who have supported the advocacy and campaign on voluntary blood donation in the province.
Capiz Gov. Fredenil Castro, as he commended the PRC for the year-round blood donation campaign, said that no matter what critical times come to us, the Red Cross will always be there not only to survive and thrive but they are there to thrive and survive others.
Last May 31, Gov. Castro approved Provincial Ordinance No. 377, a first-ever blood program – related law in the province which grants any official or employee of the Capiz provincial government a one day leave of absence with pay for donating blood.
The ordinance is expected to further boost the voluntary blood donation campaign in the province.
The awards categories include Blood Galloner Club Awards, PRC Capiz Chapter Blood Services Awards, PRC National Awards, Non-Local Government Unit Awards, Local Government Unit Awards, Health Care Institution Awards, and Awards of Excellence for Local and Non-Local Government Units.
The top 10 performing barangays in blood donation that include Brgys. Ilamnay in Panay town, Culilang in President Roxas town, Duluan and Parallan in Maayon town, Bantigue in Pontevedra town, Ezperanza in Jamindan town, Sta. Rita and Sto. Rosario in Dumalag town, Wright in Tapaz town and Centro in Dao town.
The Sandugo Outstanding Non-Local Government Units awardees include Hercor College Inc., Philippine Coast Guard Station – Capiz, Rotary Club of Metro Roxas District 3850, Bureau of Fire Protection – Capiz, Capiz Police Provincial Office, HLH Marketing Inc., Bombo Radyo Roxas, Philippine Information Agency – Capiz Association of Government Public Information Officers, K5 news FM, Department of Education Schools Division of Capiz, Capiz Medical Society, Capiz State University (CapSU) Dumarao Satellite College, Maayon Educational and Civic Association, IIC Professionals Roxas City and CapSU – Bailan, Pontevedra campus.
“The understanding that every blood donor is a life saver motivates me to donate blood regularly. The knowledge that my contributions directly impact and save lives inspires me to continue supporting this critical cause,” said Blood Galloners Club Awardee Renuiel Mendy D. Beldia IV.
Beldia, a resident of Mission Hills Subdivision in Brgy. Milibili and a medical technologist has donated 10 times or 4,500 cc of blood to the chapter’s blood bank.
Based on the PRC data, a total of 13,502 blood units or 1.65 percent of the province’s total population were collected in a year-round voluntary bloodletting campaign in 2023.
All the 17 LGUs in the province have also reached their respective annual target of one percent of their total population last year. (EAD-AAL/PIA Capiz)
