‘Kalinga’s blood supply runs thin: Only 1% donated and 1,745 units collected from Jan-Aug 2026’ - PRC-Kalinga Chapter Raymund Chan

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Kalinga Chapter is calling for more regular blood donors as the province continues to face a gap between available blood supply and the needs of patients in local hospitals.

PRC-Kalinga Chapter Administrator Raymund Mario Chan said the chapter has collected 1,745 blood units as of August 2026, but the volume remains insufficient given the number of patients requiring transfusions and the number of units each patient may need.

Chan said the Red Cross aims to help meet the government’s blood-supply target equivalent to 1% of Kalinga’s total population, with donations coming from government offices, private organizations, schools, students, individuals, and uniformed personnel.

“We are very happy with the number, but we are still looking for a large number of donations because we are still in need of different blood types as of now,” he said.

However, Chan noted that the province continues to face a shortage largely because of the demand from hospitals.

A single patient may require more than one unit of blood, making regular donations essential to maintaining an adequate supply.

“So 1% lang po yung naku-collect natin. Titignan po natin kung ilan po yung nakukuha but sa dami po ng hospitals sa Kalinga, at sa dami po ng pasyente—and ang unit po na kailangan sa isang pasyente ay dalawa,” he said.

The PRC is among several blood-collection facilities serving Kalinga, alongside the City Health Office, Rural Health Unit of Pasil, and hospitals, including facilities operating under the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) system.

1,581 blood bags served

Despite the supply challenge, the chapter continues to provide blood assistance to patients across the province.

Chan reported that 1,581 blood bags have been served to iKalinga patients, with 653 patients assisted through the chapter’s blood services as of the interview. Of these, 336 were indigent patients.

The figures underscore both the importance of blood donation and the need to expand Kalinga’s pool of regular donors, Chan said.

He encouraged eligible residents to donate during blood drives and become regular donors instead of waiting for emergency appeals before giving blood.

Building a pool of ‘walking donors’

Chan also urged communities to establish a pool of potential “walking blood donors”—people who can be contacted and invited to donate when a patient urgently needs a specific blood type or component.

For the Red Cross, blood donation is part of its humanitarian role as an auxiliary to the government. The organization continues to work with government agencies, schools, private groups, and other institutions to collect and provide blood to patients in need.

With demand continuing to put pressure on available supplies, the chapter is particularly appealing for more donors during the dengue season in August and September, when the need for blood products may increase.

The PRC-Kalinga Chapter is encouraging repeat donors and young people to become regular blood donors and help build a more reliable blood supply for Kalinga.

One donation can help save a life—but a steady pool of regular donors can help save many more.