Born out of Lifesaving Cause: Gov. Edduba continues LUMIN-AWA legacy with 19th year of Blood Donation Drive

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Marking the 19th year of the Lumin-Awa Blood Donation Drive, Governor James S. Edduba led the annual initiative on February 20, 2026, at the Kalinga Sports Center, drawing more than one hundred iKalingas who rolled up their sleeves to take part in the event—reinforcing the province’s commitment to maintaining a stable and accessible blood supply for patients in need.

The activity forms part of the month-long festivities and the continuing voluntary blood donation campaign, which coincides with the governor’s birthday celebration—highlighting his long-standing advocacy for accessible healthcare services in Kalinga.

With the theme, “Celebrate Bodong, Celebrate Life! Give blood, save lives, and be part of a stronger community,” this year’s edition gathered various iKalingas—from students and employees to elders—who underwent screening and assessment conducted by medical teams to ensure they met the qualifications, including being in good health and having sufficient hemoglobin levels.

Qualified donors were then assisted throughout the safe and supervised blood extraction process. As of 12:00 p.m., 100 blood units had already been collected.

The collected blood units will be processed and stored by the Philippine Red Cross for proper testing and safekeeping.

The Lumin-Awa Blood Donation Drive

Now in its 19th year and coinciding with the governor’s 61st birthday, the initiative traces its roots back to 2008 when Edduba was still serving as municipal mayor of Pasil. At the time, rising dengue cases in the locality exposed a shortage in blood supply, prompting him to prioritize regular donation drives.

Pasil later became the second local government unit in the province, after Balbalan, to regularly conduct blood donation drives. Through sustained efforts, the municipality institutionalized medical missions across barangays and launched initiatives such as the “Blood Olympics.”

The town’s blood donation program achieved significant milestones, earning the National Sandugo Awards at least twice in recognition of its outstanding voluntary blood donation efforts.

The donation drive was made possible through the collaboration of the Provincial Local Government of Kalinga, healthcare institutions, partner agencies, and volunteer groups, all united in the shared goal of saving lives through voluntary blood donation.