A proposal to create a local blood council is being deliberated by the city council.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, stated the proposed creation of the local blood council will help the city through sound planning, organizing, and coordinating the implementation of local voluntary blood donation programs.
It will also take the lead in forging partnerships for voluntary blood donation programs with the academe, barangays, offices, companies, religious and civic action groups, and other civil society organizations to promote whole of the community approach in ensuring enough supply of safe blood in the locality.
The local blood council shall document measures and policies related to voluntary blood donation programs for the city; formulate plans, implement programs, conduct assessment, and review of voluntary blood donation programs for the city; and create sub-committees as needed to undertake strategic steps to sustain the implementation of the voluntary blood donation program.
It shall also take the lead in instilling social consciousness and awareness by promoting voluntary blood donation among the residents, assist the barangays in the establishment of database or master list of possible voluntary blood donors for easier access, especially during times of emergency, and conduct intensive blood donor recruitment promotion through information and education campaign.
The council shall spearhead and provide non-monetary recognition to blood donors and service partners; propose for funding to sustain the good Samaritan program of the local chapter and for the purchase of necessary materials needed to support the whole blood donation program process; take the lead in promoting collaboration by forging partnership with other local blood councils or equivalent bodies in other entities, areas, and localities; and identify other functions essentially for the full implementation of the measure.
The council shall be composed of the local chief executive as chairperson and co-chaired by the chair of the board of the Philippine Red Cross local chapter.
Further, the PRC administrator shall serve as the council’s action officer.
The ordinance mandates the appropriation of P5 million annually to be included in the budget of the City Mayor’s Office subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations for the implementation of the measure. – PIO release
