‘Nangangailangan po ang province natin ng maraming dugo’: Kalinga urges more donors as dengue cases rise

Province prepares major bloodletting drive as demand for blood grows during rainy season

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — As the rainy season brings a heightened risk of dengue and other emergencies requiring blood transfusions, the Provincial Government of Kalinga is calling on more residents and government employees to donate blood and help strengthen the province’s blood supply.

During a coordination meeting on August 13 at the New Conference Hall in Bulanao, Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO)-Kalinga Provincial Blood Donor Coordinator Ferdinan Nonog announced that the province is preparing for a major bloodletting activity on September 21, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA).

The activity will be conducted in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) at the Kalinga Provincial Capitol Gymnasium.

Nonog said organizers are seeking approval to encourage government offices to participate, with a proposed minimum of five blood donors from each department of the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), local government units (LGUs), and national government agencies through a memorandum.

"Sana po payagan kami sa memo na five participants per department from the PLGU, LGU even the national agencies- uray minimum of five. Last year, we only have 50-60 government employees," Nonog said.

He hopes to significantly increase the number of donors this year, particularly as the province continues to face seasonal health demands.

"Gusto po natin na mas marami sanang mag-donate because nagado talaga ti ag-kailangan ngayong panahaon....huwag po tayong matakot mag-donate. Nangangailangan po ang province natin ng maraming dugo lalo na po ngayon dengue season. Kasi alam naman natin na pag nauubusan tayo ng dugo sa dito ay sa CVMC pa and malayo parin. So kung sana mag maka-gather taypo ng marami, mas matulungan natin yung mga nangangailangan," he said.

Dengue cases rise in Kalinga

The appeal comes as the country enters the rainy season, when health authorities traditionally intensify dengue prevention efforts because frequent rains can create mosquito breeding sites.

According to Department of Health (DOH) data, the country recorded a 57 percent decline in dengue cases during the same period in 2026, with cases falling from 110,924 to 48,151. Despite the decline, health authorities continued to warn communities about dengue as the rainy season began.

At the local level, however, Kalinga has recorded an increase.

Data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) of OPHO-Kalinga showed that the province recorded 344 dengue cases from January 4 to July 25, 2026, an increase of 76 cases, or 28 percent, from the 268 cases reported during the same period in 2025.

Tabuk City remained the province’s dengue hotspot, with 220 cases, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all reported infections.

It was followed by Pasil with 52 cases, Pinukpuk with 32, Lubuagan with 12, Balbalan with nine, Tinglayan with eight, Rizal with six, and Tanudan with five cases.

The province also recorded its first dengue-related death this year, involving a 19-year-old male from Bulanao, Tabuk City.

Kalinga working to build blood reserves

The province has been working to expand voluntary blood donation and improve access to blood products.

In 2025, Kalinga collected 940 blood units, with Tabuk City contributing the highest number at 557 units, followed by Pinukpuk with 106, Balbalan with 93, Pasil with 86, Tanudan with 68, Lubuagan with 17, and Tinglayan with 13.

The same report noted that blood stocks remained insufficient, particularly during the dengue season.

At the time, the only accredited blood-collecting units in Kalinga were the Philippine Red Cross, Tabuk City Health Office, and Pasil Rural Health Unit.

Because Kalinga does not yet have its own blood-screening facility, collected blood is sent to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) for screening and storage in its blood bank.

About 30 percent of the collected blood is allotted to CVMC to cover screening costs. Blood also has a shelf life of 42 days from collection and must be used within that period.

How patients can access blood

Nonog also explained that patients may secure a blood voucher from the Office of the Governor, which they can present to the Philippine Red Cross under the province’s LUMIN-AWA account.

"Kung ngangailangan po tayo ng dugo, kuha lang tayo ng voucher sa Office of the Governor and yun po ang ipapakita sa Philippine Red Cross and dun po ang ating LUMIN-AWA account. Pero huwag naman po sana tayo kuha ng kuha, mag-donate din po tayo ng dugo," he said.

Every donor can make a difference

For OPHO-Kalinga, the goal of the September 21 bloodletting activity is not simply to reach a numerical target but to build a stronger culture of voluntary blood donation across the province.

Blood is needed not only by dengue patients but also by accident victims, surgical patients, pregnant women experiencing complications, and others facing medical emergencies.

Every additional donor can help strengthen the blood reserve available to Kalinga residents when they need it most.

As the province prepares for the September 21 bloodletting activity and the month-long celebration of the PCSA, health and blood-service advocates are encouraging eligible residents to view blood donation not merely as an emergency response, but as a continuing act of community solidarity.

One donation may take only a small part of a person’s day—but for someone waiting for blood, it could mean another chance at life.