A proposed ordinance making voluntary blood donation as settlement, instead of paying a fine, for violation of traffic regulations, was approved on second reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Bacolod Councilor El Cid Familiaran, in his resolution, said the scarcity of blood worldwide has been noticed not just by foreign countries or by their health providers, but likewise by the International Red Cross. Such concern is identified when dengue illness hits the country, specifically in Bacolod City, resulting to shortage of blood in Bacolod-based hospitals, the resolution said. It also added that the cost of blood inaccessibly increased for a great number of people, contributing to the death of many poor patients, particularly children. Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang stated that last year, blood collection fell short of what was needed, the resolution cited. Only 440,000 units of blood have been collected, short by nearly a half with the 950,000 units of blooded needed by the country, it added. The resolution also stated that while there are blood banks in the Red Cross and the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and other private hospitals, scarcity of blood remains to be a major concern of the city. It cited Republic Act No. 7719 or “An Act Promoting Voluntary Blood Donation, Providing for an Adequate Supply of Safe Blood, Regulating Blood Banks, and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof” has been passed by Congress to institutionalize and ensure adequate supply of blood. “Among the measures that are considered to generate additional blood for patients is to recognize the voluntary donation of blood by traffic violators in lieu of the mandated fine,” the resolution said. When approved, the ordinance will be known as the “City Ordinance on Blood Donation for Traffic Violation.” The traffic violator, however, who wants to donate blood shall be subjected to a medical examination by a doctor at the City Health Office (CHO) to check if he is medically qualified and physically fit to donate blood./WDJ By Nicole A. Villavecer Watchmen D
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