A total of 300 donors participated in the Dugtong Buhay Movement bloodletting drive at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Ermita, Manila on Friday, Dec. 6.
Members of Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police donate their blood during Dugtong Buhay Movement. (Photos by Mark Balmores)
The Dugtong Buhay Movement is an initiative founded and headed by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina Pangandaman.
According to DBM, it was the fifth activity installment and was the first time that the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) partnered with the DBM for the blood drive, together with its affiliate organizations: the UP Pahinungod, Phi Kappa Mu and Mu Sigma Phi Fraternities, and Phi Lambda Delta and Mu Sigma Phi Sororities.
The donors are personnel of different government agencies and private companies such as the DBM, Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Coca-Cola Philippines.
The initiative aims to promote public health by highlighting the importance of voluntary blood donation to aid patients in need of medical attention, the DBM said.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman delivers her message during the Dugtong Buhay Movement bloodletting drive at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Ermita, Manila, on Friday, Dec. 6. (Photos by Richielyn Canlas)
DBM Sec. Amenah Pangandaman expressed hope that by next year, they could be able to partner with agencies, departments, and organizations in the national government and private sector to reach at least 1.2 million bags of blood, which is the goal of PRC every year.
"Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko po alam kung kaya natin pero na-challenge na po ako at the same time pressured cause ayun nga po, we need at least 1.2 million bags of blood, but I think every year we were just able to get around 600,000, diba? More or less 600,000 to 700,000. So medyo marami pa po, mahaba pa po (Honestly, I’m not sure if we can do it, but I’ve been challenged and, at the same time, pressured because, as mentioned, we need at least 1.2 million bags of blood. However, I think every year we’re only able to collect around 600,000, right? More or less, 600,000 to 700,000. So, there’s still a long way to go),” she said.
“And hopefully by next year, if we partner with agencies, departments, and organizations in the national government and private sector, we will be able to reach that goal para mas marami pa po tayong matulungan (so we could help more people),” she added.
Pangandaman emphasized that the activity is already saving and changing many lives because of the kindness of those who donated their blood. She added that through their participation, they have demonstrated the true spirit of unity and service that strengthens the community.
“Ang lagi ko nga pong sinasabi sa lahat ng blood donation drive natin, napakahalaga ng aktibidad na ito dahil nagbibigay tayo ng isang bagay na libre, pero walang katumbas po ang halaga nito—ang magdugtong ng buhay (What I always say at every blood donation drive is that this activity is incredibly important because we are giving something for free, but its value is immeasurable, the power to make other people live longer),” the secretary stated.
Pangandaman explained that one bag of blood can save up to three lives, which many people, especially children, need.
“Sa bawat dugong ibinabahagi natin, natutulungan natin ang mga nangangailan tulad ng mga pasyenteng may cancer, mga nanay at mga nanganganak, at mga biktima ng aksidente, na makasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay nang mas matagal pa (With every drop of blood we share, we help those in need, such as cancer patients, mothers giving birth, and accident victims, enabling them to spend more time with their loved ones),” she said.
PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwendalyn Pang also delivered her message.
“We are happy and proud to be a partner of DBM. We hope we inspire more partners to join the Dugtong Buhay Movement because we have been able to help many patients because of the blood we have collected. With Sec. Pangandaman’s hands-on approach to this initiative, the Philippine Red Cross is 100 percent committed to the Movement,” she said.
The total collected blood will be divided equally between the blood bank of PGH and the PRC.
The bloodletting drive was also aligned with President Marcos Jr.'s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, which emphasizes the importance of community support for those in need, especially during emergencies.
The DBM added that the activity also reinforces Republic Act No. 7719, or the National Blood Services Act of 1994, which promotes voluntary blood donation to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply.