MANILA — The Philippine Army (PA) has successfully gathered more than 6,000 blood bags during its nationwide blood donation initiative, which coincided with National Heroes’ Day. The drive took place across 171 centers, engaging army personnel, reservists, and civilians in a significant act of service.
According to Philippines News Agency, PA spokesperson, the campaign titled “Dugo Ko, Dugo Namin Alay ng Hukbong Katihan sa Sambayanang Pilipino” saw participation from a diverse group, including Army personnel, reservists, ROTC cadets, members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA), and civilian donors. “A total of 6,215 blood bags were collected… each bag of donated blood can help save up to three lives,” stated Dema-ala.
The PA partnered with various hospitals and organizations to ensure the drive’s success, highlighting the effort as a dual-purpose campaign aimed at boosting the country’s blood reserves while also ensuring sufficient stock for military use. The collected blood will be distributed with 70 percent allocated for public use and 30 percent reserved for the Army, preparing for any large-scale emergency requiring rapid mobilization.
This blood donation drive underlines the Philippine Army’s commitment to community and national service, extending beyond their traditional military duties to provide critical healthcare support.