City creates local blood council

Mayor Benjamin Magalong ratified ordinance no. 05, series of 2024, creating the  Baguio City Local Blood Council (BCLBC)  that will help the city through sound planning, organizing, and coordinating the implementation of local voluntary blood donation programs.

It will also take the lead in forging partnerships for voluntary blood donation in coordination with blood collection facilities, the academe, barangays, offices, firms and companies, religious and civic action groups, and other civil society organizations, to ensure robust supplies of safe blood in the locality.

The BCLBC will be headed by the Local Chief Executive as chairperson and the City Health Services Officer as co-chairperson and action officer with officers and representatives from concerned government and other sectors of society as members.

Its functions include: To recommend measures and policies related to the voluntary blood donation program for the city; formulate plans, implement plans, and conduct assessment and review on voluntary blood donation program for the city; create sub-committees as needed to undertake strategic steps to sustain the implementation of the voluntary blood donation program of the city; and more.

For the ordinance, an appropriation of P2-Million shall be allotted each year to be included in the annual budget of the City Mayor’s Office or the City Health Services Office, subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations. – Gaby B. Keith