RESIDENTS of Kalibo in Aklan were encouraged to help one another by donating blood.

Kalibo Councilor Cynthia Dela Cruz said she filed a resolution addressing the 16 barangays of Kalibo, including nongovernment organizations, government offices and private companies, to participate in a bloodletting activity.

Barangays and private companies could ask the local health office for a possible schedule of the bloodletting, she said.

“Recently, there were complaints of shortage of blood for Kalibo residents as there are rising cases of dengue reported by the Aklan Provincial Health Office Surveillance Team, which shows a hundredth percent increase compared to the month of January last year,” said Dela Cruz Tuesday, March 5.

Dela Cruz is the chairperson of the Municipal Council's committee on health.

The town is reportedly needing at least 860 blood bags this year to meet the one percent requirement for its 88,000 population.

According to the Philippine Red Cross, Kalibo collected 792 blood bags in 2018.

Megs Lunn, president of the Aklan Blood Coordinating Council, said blood supply is needed for victims of dengue, as well as those who figured in accidents, need surgical operations, blood transfusions and blood disorders. (SunStar Philippines)