Blood donation campaign gains more ground, aids hospitals

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Aug 2 (PIA) -- Some hospitals in the region have utilized a total of 450 units of blood from the Philippine Red Cross – Camarines as of June this year.

These hospitals include the following: St. John Hospital, Mother Seton Hospital, Dr. Nilo Roa Hospital and Bicol Medical Center (BMC), all in this city; Our Lady of Mediatrix Hospital in Iriga City; and Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital and Sto. Niño Hospital in Daet,Camarines Norte.

Nanette Rodrigazo, PRC Camarines Sur chapter administrator, said this is part of their intensified campaign to give as much blood to the needy, especially with the rise of dengue cases in the province.

“We are continuously promoting voluntary blood donation by collaborating with the city government of Naga through City Councilor Nathan Sergio, who happens to be one of the members of the PRC board of directors for regular mass blood donation,” said Rodrigazo in an interview.

She added that they also have an existing partnership with BMC and the National Blood Center and they follow quality management in the operation of their blood service facility.

“Hopefully, these will all result to a more efficient blood collection,” Rodrigazo said.

For June alone, PRC Camarines Sur collected 280 units of blood for the following blood types: 46 percent for type O+, 27 percent for type A+, 23 percent for type B+ and four percent for type AB+.

In support of the PRC program and pursuant to City Ordinance 2009-002, councilor Sergio spearheaded the Sandugo: Charter Day Blood Letting Activity in Naga City, supported by several organizations.

“PRC has a total of 152,362 individual blood donors, including the 2,240 members of Blood Galloners’ Club, more than 20,000 members of Pledge 25 program and 4,954 donors with RH negative blood type,” Rodrigazo added. (MAL/LSM-PIA5, Camarines Sur)



DENR reiterates One Strike policy on illegal logging

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, August 2 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office reminded agency officials of the DENR's “One Strike” policy on illegal logging.

Gilbert C. Gonzales, DENR regional executive director, said the policy should be abided strictly by officials of the agency in the region to sustain forest protection and conservation efforts.

“The policy covers any illegal cutting or harvesting of forest products in our areas of responsibility, likewise it comprises failure to detect, report or apprehend the transport of illegally harvested forest products – whether sourced from our area or another area, and the apprehension of illegally cut or gathered products made by other law enforcement agency or local government unit (LGU) without our knowledge,” Gonzales said.

He warned officials found violating the policy will be immediately relieved with corresponding charges filed, as soon as the violation has been verified and confirmed.

Gonzales emphasized the assumption of “command responsibility” by officials over the actions of their subordinates.

Meanwhile, DENR Bicol is in the process of formulating interregional strategies and undertaking close coordination to curb the transport of illegally-harvested forest products. (MAL/LLS-DENR5/PIA)