BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance establishing barangay blood banks in the city and providing funds for the said purpose.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Michael L. Lawana states there shall be created the barangay blood council in the 128 barangays of the city by virtue of an executive issuance from the City Mayor.
The ordinance added that the barangay blood councils shall be under the direct supervision of the Office of the City Mayor.
Under the proposed ordinance, the chairperson of the committee on health in the different barangays shall be appointed as the blood program coordinator in the said barangay.
Further, the barangay blood program coordinator is empowered to appoint 5 members which must come from various sectors in the barangays.
The barangay blood councils shall be empowered to prepare the conduct of regular blood activities in the barangay and conduct barangay level information and education campaign on voluntary blood donations.
According to the proposed city legislative measure, the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), through its blood bank and transfusion service, is hereby recognized as the main barangay blood bank due to its capabilities within the city.
The ordinance stipulates that to ensure adequate supply of human blood donation for the barangay, voluntary blood donation shall be promoted through the barangay blood donors program and declaration of barangay blood donation month.
The ordinance claims the barangay blood deposits shall be assessed and that priority be given to bonafide residents of the barangay and that residents of other barangays may assist the blood deposits of other barangay blood banks subject to automatic replenishment of quantity used and withdrawn.
The ordinance proposes the substantial amount of P1,00,000 which shall be appropriated under non-office item, support to national offices – Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, of the 2020 annual budget to cover the various activities related to the realization of the program and thereafter, an annual budget under the City Mayor’s Office shall be allocated for the effective implementation of the provisions of the measure.
The ordinance notes that the city government desires to promote and encourage voluntary blood donation by the citizens and to instill public consciousness of the principle that blood donation is a humanitarian act beneficial to the greater majority of the populace, especially those living in the city’s 128 barangays.
Moreover, the ordinance stipulates there is a need to mobilize all sectors of the community, especially the barangays, to actively participate in the establishment of the necessary mechanisms for voluntary and non-profit collection of blood.
The ordinance narrates that blood banks in the different city barangays may provide readily available blood deposit to its constituents in times of need, especially during emergency situations where lives of people are in danger due to the need for blood.
By Dexter A. See
