‘The need for blood is continuous’: Gov. Edduba urges Kalinga residents to become regular blood donors as they may never know who they can save

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Governor James S. Edduba urged government employees, communities and other iKalingas to become regular voluntary blood donors, stressing that the need for blood does not stop after every bloodletting activity.

Edduba made the call during the Life Saver’s Day blood donation drive on September 21 at the Kalinga Sports Center, held as part of the province’s celebration of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA).

He said blood is continuously needed by patients undergoing surgery, mothers experiencing childbirth complications, accident victims, and children and adults battling various illnesses.

The governor said his advocacy for blood donation began in 2008 after a family member needed blood because of dengue. He also cited the provincial government’s continuing support for blood donation activities, including the LUMIN-AWA Blood Samaritan Program.

“The need for blood is continuous, isunga dapat tuloy-tuloy tayo met nga agdonar. Saan tayo ammo nga babaen ti panagdonate tayo adda maisalakan nga ubing, ina wennu ama,” Edduba said, noting that emergencies can happen anytime and patients may need blood immediately.

Kalinga blood supply remains thin

The governor’s call comes amid continuing concerns over the province’s blood supply.

A recent report by Guru Press Cordillera, citing Philippine Red Cross-Kalinga Chapter Administrator Raymund Mario Chan, said the chapter had collected 1,745 blood units from January to August 2026, but the supply remains insufficient compared with the demand from hospitals and patients.

Chan said only about 1 percent of Kalinga’s population was represented in the blood collected, while a single patient may require more than one unit. The chapter had also provided 1,581 blood bags to 653 patients, including 336 indigent patients.

The Red Cross has encouraged eligible residents to become regular donors and help establish a pool of “walking donors” who can be called when specific blood types are urgently needed.

Edduba also cited the province’s 5,015 blood units collected in 2024, saying the accomplishment was supported by bloodletting drives, donor retention, youth recruitment, referrals and the participation of local leaders and communities.

He encouraged more iKalingas to make blood donation a regular practice rather than waiting for emergency appeals.

Meanwhile, the September 21 bloodletting activity collected 89 units of blood.

The activity was conducted by the Provincial Government of Kalinga through the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) and partner organizations, including the Philippine Red Cross-Kalinga Chapter.