ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City Government is rallying residents to donate blood on July 9, 2026, at the Gaisano ICC food court in Mandurriao. The Kabalaka Blood Drive, the city’s first locally initiated voluntary donation campaign, aims to secure emergency blood reserves while marking both National Disaster Resilience Month and National Blood Donors Month.
First LGU‑Led Drive Anchors Resilience Month
The Office of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer and the Western Visayas Medical Center Blood Bank jointly organized the event. Officials announced the drive during a July 7 press conference at City Hall. They described the campaign as a direct extension of the Kabalaka disaster preparedness program, linking health security to community resilience.
Sheilalyn Laczi, LDRRMO III, stressed that the city intends to hold the blood drive annually as part of July resilience activities. She said the initiative provides a critical safety net for residents who may suddenly need transfusions during emergencies or medical procedures. The LGU‑led model removes barriers that previously kept voluntary donation levels below the one‑percent population target.
Health Benefits Reward Donors Immediately
Beyond saving lives, each donor receives a free basic medical screening by a physician before giving blood. Dr. Mark Anthony Planto, donor recruitment officer, explained that regular donation helps normalize iron levels in the body and supports better blood circulation. The screening also offers donors a snapshot of their current health status.
The medical check covers vital signs and a brief physical assessment, catching potential issues early. Donors learn about their hemoglobin levels and blood pressure, turning an altruistic act into a personal wellness touchpoint. Planto added that consistent donation is linked to reduced risks of certain chronic conditions, making the habit doubly beneficial.
Eligibility Rules Safeguard Donor and Recipient
Donors must be 18 to 65 years old and weigh at least 50 kilograms. Minors aged 16 and 17 may participate with written parental or guardian consent. All prospective donors should be free from colds or flu, must not have received a tattoo or body piercing within the past six months, and cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding.
Participants are required to have adequate sleep the night before donating and to refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours. These precautions protect both the donor’s well‑being and the quality of the collected blood. On‑site staff will verify eligibility before any needle is used.
Every Unit Goes to the WVMC Blood Bank
All blood collected during the Kabalaka drive will be turned over directly to the WVMC Blood Bank. Dr. Al Jeson Chin, head of the blood bank, said the facility relies on such community‑based drives to maintain a stable inventory for surgeries, trauma cases, and patients with chronic blood disorders. The event is expected to replenish shelves that often dip during holiday months.
Chin emphasized that a single donation can save up to three lives. He urged first‑time donors to overcome hesitation, reminding them that the process is safe, sterile, and closely supervised by trained medical personnel. The blood bank will process, test, and store each unit under strict national standards.
Annual Drive Aims for a Culture of Voluntary Donation
Laczi reiterated that the city intends to make the Kabalaka Blood Drive a recurring fixture every July. She said embedding the activity within the resilience month calendar normalizes blood donation as a civic duty rather than an emergency afterthought. The goal is to reach at least one percent of the city’s population as regular voluntary donors.
Dr. Chin echoed the long‑term vision, noting that a dependable donor pool eliminates the scramble for blood during disasters. The Kabalaka brand, already associated with grassroots disaster preparedness, now extends its meaning to include the life‑saving act of sharing blood. Interested Ilonggos can walk in at the Gaisano ICC second‑floor food court on July 9.
