SOUTH COTABATO — A total of 200 barangays in South Cotabato have exceeded the blood donation target set by health authorities, helping strengthen the province’s blood supply.
The South Cotabato Provincial Hospital Blood Bank expressed gratitude for the strong support of communities across the province. Each barangay was encouraged to donate blood equivalent to at least one percent of its population to ensure enough supply for emergencies and medical needs.
According to Emy A. Santillan, Nurse II, many barangays went beyond the target.
“We are happy with the response of our communities. From the one percent target, some barangays even reached two percent,” she said.
Because of this, South Cotabato is now among the top three provinces in Region XII with the highest number of blood donors.
Health officials said the success is due to strong community support and incentives from the provincial government. One of these is free blood services for immediate family members of donors, encouraging more people to participate.
The program is part of the continuing effort of the provincial government to improve healthcare services and ensure enough blood supply for patients, especially during emergencies, surgeries, and childbirth.
Officials will continue the program through information drives, mobile blood donation activities, and partnerships with barangays.
“This shows what we can achieve when communities work together. Every drop of blood can save a life,” Santillan added.
With the growing support, South Cotabato continues to strengthen its healthcare system and serve as a model for community-driven blood donation programs.
