LIGA ng mga Barangay – Baguio City chapter president and City Councilor Michael Lawana is pushing for the creation of blood banks in all barangays (villages) in the city.
Lawana’s proposed ordinance aims to create a barangay blood council in all of the 128 villages with an executive order from Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
“The barangay blood deposits will be accessed and a priority be given bonifide residents of the barangay while residents from different areas will be given access when needed with an agreement that an automatic replenishment of quantity be given,” Lawana said.
The proposed law was passed on first reading this week with an initial appropriation of P100,000 when approved.
Lawana’s ordinance states the local government desires to promote and encourage voluntary blood donation by the citizenry and to instill public consciousness of the principle that blood donation is a humanitarian act.
“There is a need to mobilize all sectors of the community especially the barangays to participate in mechanisms for voluntary and nonprofit collection of blood,” Lawana’s ordinance added.
Blood banks in the village may provide readily available blood deposits for its constituents in times of need.
The Barangay Blood Council will be composed of the chair of the committee on health, appointed as coordinator with five members from sectors of each village with the function to conduct and prepare activities which include the information and education drive for voluntary blood donations.
Baguio General Hospital will be recognized as the main village bank.
If the law is passed, all donations will be made a regular program of each village with all donation drives done in each site with a schedule set.
A declaration of a village blood donation month will also be set on July and feature blood donation with public education.