The local government of San Carlos City, through Mayor Renato Gustilo and the Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter, through Chapter Administrator Rita Benita Mirasol, R.M., signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the Blood Samaritan Program.
Present during the signing Tuesday at the City Mayor’s Office were City Administrator Atty. Estefanio Libutan Jr., and chairman of the Philippine Red Cross San Carlos City Branch and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Officer Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr.
The program is aimed at strengthening the blood services program and ensuring the availability of blood for the residents of the city, particularly indigents who may need it during hospitalization.
Johannes Franz Curativo, DRRM staff and volunteer PRC Branch Coordinator, said they will start a monthly bloodletting program next year to ensure that the city and other neighboring cities and municipalities have sufficient blood supply.
He also said a blood station will be established.
Curativo added that to avail of the Blood Samaritan Program, the following should be acquired: a blood request form from the hospital admitted; a certificate of indigency (must be a resident of San Carlos City); a blood donation card from the Philippine Red Cross; and referral form from Philippine Red Cross-San Carlos City Branch.
He also urged residents to contact the Philippine Red Cross San Carlos City Branch through their mobile phone number, 0917-810-3419, or e-mail them at redcrosssancarlos@gmail.com or visit them at SCCDRRMO Operations Center Building and look for Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr., branch chairman, or Johannes Franz Curativo, branch coordinator.*
