Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Do you believe in miracles? I do.

I sincerely believe that miracles happen in our midst daily and that each of us has the power to make a miracle happen—that is, through simple acts of kindness. One of these is the life-saving act of donating precious blood.

Hence, as we observe Blood Donors Month this July, I stand in heartfelt solidarity with every Filipino whose selfless act of sharing their blood voluntarily, without thought of compensation, has touched lives, brought hope, and made a difference for others.

Institutionalized through Proclamation No. 1021 in 1997, the commemoration traces its roots to when former President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared July 17, 1966, as Blood Donor’s Day under Proclamation No. 48, to honor "blood donors' unselfish contribution to the welfare of humanity." Decades later, under the leadership of his son, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM), the legacy of gratitude, service, compassion, and responsiveness in governance lives on.

This year's theme, "Give Blood, Give Hope: Together, We Save Lives!"—adapted from the World Blood Donor Day theme —pays tribute to donors as lifesavers. It also creates awareness and emphasizes the importance and urgency of unity and cooperation among all sectors of society in ensuring that there is an adequate supply of volunteer-sourced human blood. For me, it is also a gentle reminder that kindness and compassion run deep in our hearts.

I believe that donating blood is a precious gift. Every drop we give voluntarily is a chance for someone to heal, to have a second chance in life. Each donation can save three lives. By giving blood, we provide an opportunity to prolong a life—for a parent to hold their children in their arms longer, for a child suffering from a blood disorder to smile without pain and play once more, and for a road crash victim to continue pursuing his dreams. By sharing our blood, we provide the necessary support to mothers undergoing difficult pregnancies, road crash victims, cancer patients, and those battling blood diseases, such as dengue and hemophilia, among others. Just this Saturday, the Department of Health reported a slight increase in dengue cases for June 2025, and expects the numbers to further rise due to the continuous downpour and flooding. Thus, there is an urgent need to prepare more blood.

Giving blood not only benefits the receiver but also the donor. First, it improves emotional and mental well-being. Sharing one's blood provides a profound sense of accomplishment, of being able to do good. Second, it reduces the risk of certain illnesses, such as heart and liver diseases, and lowers cancer risk, among other conditions. Donating blood creates the opportunity for the body to produce new blood cells, maintain body weight, and lower cholesterol levels. Third, it provides a free medical checkup and blood laboratory test.

As public servants, I believe it is our duty to do more to assist our kababayans, especially in giving a voice and providing concrete action to advocacies that matter most.

Hence, in response to the Bagong Pilipinas directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to assist those in need, especially during times of emergencies, and following Republic Act No. 7719, the National Blood Services Act of 1994, which promotes voluntary blood donation to ensure its safe and sufficient supply, we, at the Department of Budget and Management, together with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Philippine Coast Guard, established the Dugtong Buhay Movement in September 2024, to serve as a lifeline for those in need of blood and its products.

Since then, we have worked with the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the academe like STI and iAcademy, and other regional and private partners—collecting nearly 3,700 units of freely donated blood, each one meant to save a life.

I am positive that our movement is a great example of how collaboration can lead to meaningful and lifesaving results. This initiative shows that by pooling our efforts, no matter the size, we can address urgent needs in our communities, like the continuous demand for a safe, adequate, and steady blood supply.

Yet, according to the PRC, we still have a long way to go, as we need 1.2 million blood bags yearly.

I call on every able and willing Filipino to join this noble cause. I appeal to your generosity. Please donate regularly. Be the reason someone lives to see another tomorrow.

Beyond budget, the observance of the Blood Donors Month not only aims to recognize individuals whose compassion gives a new lease on life for others. It is an opportunity to create awareness of the necessity for every Filipino to act in solidarity to build a Bagong Pilipinas that is healthy, resilient, and inclusive, where no one is left behind. It reminds us that we are not only sharing a part of ourselves, but we are also giving hope, life, and the chance to fulfill a person's dream anew.