29/08/2024
Record-Setting 18,525 Blood Bags Gathered During 4th RESCOM PA-wide Blood Donation Activity
The Reserve Command, Philippine Army (RESCOM, PA) achieved a new milestone by collecting a record-breaking 18,525 blood bags during its 4th RESCOM PA-wide Blood Donation Activity on August 25, 2024. This event marked a significant prelude to the unit's 41st Founding Anniversary, with the theme “Matatag na Tagapagbuo ng Hukbong Mamamayan para sa Bagong Pilipinas” (Stronger Citizen-Army Builder for a New Philippines).
The blood donation activity was simultaneously conducted at various locations, including the Headquarters Reserve Command, PA, at Camp Riego de Dios in Tanza, Cavite, as well as in all Regional Community Defense Groups (RCDG) and Community Defense Centers (CDC) across the country. This effort was further integrated with the reservists' mustering, involving the formation and accounting of troops at their respective RRIBn Headquarters and CDCs.
Notably, the 18,525 blood bags collected during this event surpassed the previous record set on March 9, 2024, when 18,179 blood bags (approximately 8,180,550 ml) were gathered during the 3rd RESCOM PA-wide Blood Donation Activity. The achievement earned RESCOM, PA a Certificate of Recognition from Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay Inc. (DADBI) on June 14, 2024, for setting the Philippine record for the highest number of blood bags collected in a single day. The award was given in celebration of World Blood Donors Day.
The success of the August 25 event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of several organizations. Key partners included DADBI, the All Reservists Movement Corporation (ARMC), representing the reservists in the Philippines, and the Civil-Military Operations Regiment (CMOR) of the Philippine Army.
RESCOM, PA Commander Maj. Gen. Romulo A. Manuel Jr. expressed his deep appreciation for the support received from various units and organizations, including the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Foundation, various Rotary Clubs, The Fraternal Order of Eagles-Philippine Eagles, DZRH, and other stakeholders.
The 4th RESCOM PA-wide Blood Donation Activity was monitored in real-time through an online dashboard, which tracked the number of blood bags collected throughout the day. This event also saw increased participation from more organizations compared to previous blood donation drives, reflecting a collective effort to build a stronger and healthier nation. Among the witnesses were Maj. Gen. Arvin R. Lagamon PA, Deputy Chief of Staff for CMO, J7, and Miss Marites Estrella, Program Manager of the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) at the Department of Health, who observed the growing collaboration and success of the initiative.
Reserve Command, Philippine Army