Harnessing the wide sphere and sheer power of the public and private sectors, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)’s joint bloodletting initiative, “Dugtong Buhay Movement,” collected a total of 1,067 blood units in its first five-month rollout, serving as a testament to many Filipinos’ readiness to help secure the nation’s blood supply.
With the contributions of the Movement, the PRC has collected a total of 544,663 blood units from January to date this year, surpassing the 538,769 units collected in 2023.
The blood collected and dispensed have been able to help save the lives of 276,851 patients.
Through the leadership of DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and the steadfast support of PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang, the blood drive has amassed highly-influential partners such as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, the local government of San Fernando, La Union, and iAcademy; all of whom have pledged to engage their constituents in regular voluntary blood donations.
On December 6, it conducted its fifth mass bloodletting drive, this time in partnership with the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) – Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Ermita, Manila.
UP’s affiliate organizations (UP Pahinungod, Phi Kappa Mu and Mu Sigma Phi Fraternities, and Phi Lambda Delta and Mu Sigma Phi Sororities) and personnel from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) also volunteered to donate their blood in the program. A total of 154 blood units were collected during the activity.
“We hope we inspire more partners to join us because we have been able to help many patients through the blood we have collected.”
“We are happy and proud to be a partner of DBM. Ensuring our country has an ample blood supply is a whole team, whole nation effort. With Secretary Amenah at the helm, DBM has put so much love in this initiative that we’ve done together since August. Sec. Amenah has been very hands-on in ensuring the success of these blood drives, and because of that great leadership, the Philippine Red Cross is 100 percent committed to the Dugtong Buhay Movement. We hope we inspire more partners to join us because we have been able to help many patients through the blood we have collected,” Pang said.
She also stressed the PRC’s dedication to helping PGH, which is at the top of the PRC’s blood supply distribution network.
Just this year, the PRC has provided the PGH with 12,856 blood bags, aiding 3,735 patients. In the past, the PRC and PGH have collaborated on establishing a field hospital during the measles outbreak, augmenting equipment and staff of the health unit, creating a triage area and providing personal protective equipment (PPEs) to PGH frontliners. 32 students under a PRC scholarship are also currently studying in UP Manila College of Medicine.
PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon also expressed his support for the blood donation program, noting that the PRC will continue to mobilize its health units, volunteers, and staff, as well as provide resources, to ensure the success of all the mass bloodletting activities under the Dugtong Buhay Movement.
Meanwhile, Pangandaman thanked the PRC, PCG, and PNP, who have been her constant partners in this initiative since day one.
“Sa lahat ng ating mga donors at volunteers, maraming-maraming salamat po. Truly you are not just life savers, but life givers,” the budget chief said.
“Pinapakita ninyo ang tunay na diwa ng pagkakaisa at serbisyo na nagpapalakas ng ating komunidad.”
“Sa inyong partisipasyon, pinapakita ninyo ang tunay na diwa ng pagkakaisa at serbisyo na nagpapalakas ng ating komunidad. Napakahalaga ng aktibidad na ito dahil nakapagbibigay tayo ng isang bagay na libre pero walang katumbas na halaga — ang pagdugtong ng buhay. Araw-araw, madaming tao, lalo na ang mga bata, ang nangangailangan nito. Sa bawat dugong ibinabahagi natin, natutulungan natin ang mga nangangailangan tulad ng mga pasyenteng may cancer, mga nanay at nanganganak, at mga biktima ng aksidente na makasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay ng mas matagal pa,” the budget head stressed.
“Ngayong holiday season, ang dugong inyong handog ay maituturing na po nating maagang pamasko para sa mga nangangailangan. Nakakataba po sa puso na makitang habang lumilipas ang panahon, patuloy na lumalawak ang saklaw at epekto ng ating inisyatiba. Habang tumatagal dumadami po ang ating mga partners at volunteers na handang tumulong. Mas lumalaki po ang ating Dugtong Buhay Movement,” she said.
Moreover, UPM-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, and UPM Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee shared their gratitude and delight to have the institution as part of the Movement since the demand for blood is very high in the hospital, seeing as they serve 700,000 patients a year and conduct around 30,000 operations.
Other key guests who gave messages of support for the initiative at the event were PCG National Capital Region (NCR) – Central Luzon Acting Commander Commo. Arnaldo Lim, Manila Police District (MPD) Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, and BJMP Medical Division Chief JSupt. John Paul Borlongan.
The PRC is the country’s major blood supplier with 108 blood service facilities, 32 blood centers, 76 blood collecting stations, and 15 apheresis centers nationwide.
Under the directive of Gordon, the PRC aims to provide 70 percent of the country’s overall supply of blood.
