CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque recognized blood donors from Bulacan as “life savers” during the blood galloners awarding ceremony at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here Thursday.
With the theme “Be there for someone else. Save life. Give blood.”, Secretary Duque praised the invaluable contributions of blood donors and the importance of giving blood in order to save lives.
“We are immensely grateful to our blood donors for your voluntary and sincere effort to be of help to those in need. You truly are heroes in the lives of your recipients. Let us continue to imbibe the spirit of bayanihan and be instrumental in saving more lives through blood donation,” he said.
He also commended the Bulacan Provincial Blood Center for its 24/7 operation and its capability to supply clean and safe blood for the Bulakenyos.
Meanwhile, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado related blood to significant events and enumerated how it affected the lives of people.
“Blood is freedom. Many Filipinos offered their blood and lives to attain our freedom or democracy. Dugo rin ang ibinuhos at ibinahagi ng ating Panginoon upang tubusin ang ating mga kasalanan. Ngayon nama’y muli natin itong pinaaagos upang pagningasin ang alab ng buhay na nananamlay sanhi ng karamdaman (Our Lord also poured out and distributed blood to redeem our sins. Now we are pouring it again to ignite the flames of life that is suffering from illness),” Alvarado said.
The provincial government of Bulacan, through the Bulacan Blood Council, recognized the Top 3 Provincial Voluntary Blood Donation Program achievers, namely Plaridel through Mayor Jocel Aimee Vistan-Casaje; San Ildefonso through Mayor Carla G. Tan; and the City of San Jose del Monte through Mayor Arturo Robes.
The three were also recognized as blood partner awardees by the province of Bulacan.
For the Top 3 local government units with high numbers in mobile blood donation conducted by Bulacan Provincial Blood Center, the municipalities of Plaridel and Marilao and the City of San Jose del Monte were recognized.
Also awarded were the Vice Governor’s Office and Damayang Filipino Foundation; Holy Spirit Academy of Malolos; and Municipality of Santa Maria as the Top 3 largest blood donation in a single collection.
The Bulacan State University, Ang Dating Daan-Bulacan and Fisher Farm were recognized as the Top 3 partners with high numbers of mobile blood donation conducted.
Moreover, 156 blood galloners were acknowledged for having donated blood nine to 10 times; and 11 bronze blood awardees who have voluntarily donated blood for 25 times. (Manny Balbin/PNA)
