FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City—Amid the high demand for blood due to the rising cases of dengue in the country, a memorandum of undertaking that intensifies the partnership on blood donation campaign between the Philippine Red Cross  (PRC) and Army Signal Regiment (ASR) of the Philippine Army was signed on February 18, 2025, at the ASR Headquarters in Taguig City. 

The agreement states that the PRC and ASR shall conduct a regular blood donation activity to ensure continuous and ready availability of blood. 

PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang pointed out the importance of the partnership to contribute to the nation’s blood requirement.

“Sa ating bansa, ang pangangailangan natin ng dugo ay nasa 1.2 million bags of blood annually. Ang PRC ay nakakalikom ng more than 500,000 bags of blood, ang remaining amount of blood ay galing sa iba’t ibang private and government organizations. As a single organization, tayo po ang may pinakamalaking ambag. Nag-invest po talaga ang Red Cross ng 108 blood service facilities all over the country, para kahit saan ka man magpunta ay may access ang tao sa dugo,” Dr. Pang said. 

“Hindi lamang po ito isang pormal na kasunduan, ito po ay isang panata na patuloy nating gagampanan ang ating mga tungkulin hindi lang sa pagtatanggol sa ating bayan, kundi pati na rin sa pagsagip ng buhay sa pamamagitan ng blood donation,” Dr. Pang added. 

“This MOU is not just a document but a testament to our shared commitment to service that extends beyond our sworn duty to protect our nation, reaching the very core of humanitarian assistance—sharing our precious blood so that others may live. Salamat sa inyo dahil maraming pagkakataon na nabigyan ng dugo ang sugatan namin mga kasama sa field. As we sign this agreement, let this be the start of a strengthened partnership. Together, we ensure that no call for help is left unanswered and no life is lost due to lack of resources,” Brig. Gen. Jamel Samonte PA stressed. 

336 blood units have been collected since the partnership between the PRC and ASR began in 2021. 

The next nationwide bloodletting activity of PRC and ASR will take place on March 7 this year.