The Pasig City Council paid tribute to prolific Pasigueno Napoleon “Nap” B. Marilag, the founder of the “Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay (DADB),” a bloodletting organization, who died last Feb. 23.

During the 11th City Council’s regular session on Monday, Feb. 27, Councilor Quin Cruz delivered a brief speech commemorating Marilag, his work in making bloodletting services accessible to the public, and the legacy he left behind.

“Hindi natin akalain na kaya po palang magbigay ng dugo na libre, na kaya po palang tumulong sa kapwa at magdugtong ng buhay kahit wala kang pera (We did not think that we can actually give blood for free, that we can help extend the lives of members of our community who have no means or money),” Cruz said in his privilege speech.

“Bagama’t hindi siya halal na opisyal ng ating bayan ay napakaraming niyang nagawa dito sa ating lungsod (Even though he was not an elected official, he has done many good things for our city),” he added.

Since its foundation in 1994, the DADB has provided safe and free blood services to indigent patients or beneficiaries.

It has made partnerships with various national and local government agencies, educational and medical institutions, media networks, and CSOs in organizing bloodletting activities and events, as well as making supplies of donated blood readily available.

Due to the organization’s steadfast mission, the DADB has garnered many volunteer groups whose members initiate, assist and facilitate bloodletting programs across the country.

Last Nov. 22, the DADB was a recipient of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC)’s Gawad Pagkilala Award for their support for the VMMC’s voluntary blood donation program.

The local government implementation of the DADB’s bloodletting initiative is led by the Office of Councilor Cruz. His office frequently hosts bloodletting programs for citizens in cooperation with civil society organizations (CSOs).

He said that his office is also required to give five bags of donated blood daily, whether to Pasigueno or non-Pasigueno beneficiaries.

“Alam ko sa pagkamatay niya, mabubuhay po muli at ipagpapatuloy po natin ang misyon ng Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay, dahil alam ko, sa mga oras na ito, marami pang nangangailangan ng malinis at libreng dugo (I know that in his passing, his mission remains alive and we will continue the work of Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay, because, as of this moment, many are still in need of clean and free blood),” Cruz said.

Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot”Jaworski Jr., the City Council chairman, remarked that Marilag is “a true Pasigueno who has left his mark, not only in the city of Pasig, but in the whole country with his bloodletting program.”

His passing is a big loss to the Pasig community, Jaworski added.

Marilag, 61, was born on April 3, 1962. He previously served as a medical technician at the City Health Office before becoming a City Consultant of the Council in the City Hall.

Aside from founding the DADB, he was also one of the minds behind the BeGlad Movement, a school-based, anti-illegal drug use program for students in Pasig.

Marilag was awarded the Phoenix Excellence Award in 2021 for his work in the DADB.