Rep. Duterte conducts bloodletting drive to benefit people of Davao

BY IVY TEJANO

Feb 7, 2025 09:58 PM

  

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DAVAO CITY – At least 500 individuals participated in the bloodletting drive launched by the Office of First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Davao City Recreation Center (DCRC).

PEOPLE donate blood in a bloodletting activity initiated by Rep. Paolo Duterte in collaboration with the Barangay Health Workers and Southern Philippines Medical Center at the Davao City Recreation Center on Thursday, Feb. 6. (Ivy Tejano) 

The bloodletting activity was conducted in collaboration with barangay health workers from 54 barangays in the first district and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Duterte’s son Rigo, who facilitated the activity and interacted with donors and barangay officials, said the campaign initiated by his father aims to aid those in need and save lives through blood donations.

“Our less-fortunate brothers and sisters will benefit from this campaign as obtaining blood can be challenging and costly, and through this activity, they no longer need to borrow and spend money for bags of blood,” Rigo said.

Rigo thanked donors, volunteers, government officials, and health workers who supported the activity.  

Joel Hagonos, 25, bus conductor and donor from Barangay 6-A, said this was his second time donating to help others and replenish his blood.

Neophyte donor Ryan Jay Veras, 20, a barangay responder in Maa, has the same reason as Hagonos. He said donating blood is safe and compared the feeling to being lightly pricked by a mosquito.

Carlita Lagonson Bontog, president of the Barangay Health Workers in Catalunan Grande, said the bloodletting drive helps barangays and hospitals satisfy blood requirement. She added that having stored blood ensures quick response in emergencies.

“I was once afraid of needles, but reality hit hard, and a family member needed blood. I realized the importance of donating blood. Since then, I have donated blood for my family and to help those in need,” Bontog said.

Janson Cajegas, blood donor recruitment officer at SPMC, said that to be eligible for blood donation, donors must meet certain requirements. He said a donor must be between 16 and 65 and individuals aged 18 below require parental consent.

“Blood donors must weigh at least 50 kilograms and be in good health, with no symptoms of colds or coughs, have sufficient rest, and no ongoing medication to ensure their safety and those who’ll obtain the blood as this is crucial in saving lives,” Cajegas said. 

He added that it is vital for blood banks to store blood to ensure that it is available for patients who require it.

“Blood has a limited lifespan of 35 days, so regular donations are necessary to maintain the supply in blood centers. Our process includes thorough screening, vital signs check, interviews, testing, and single-use equipment like needles and blood bags to ensure our donors’ safety,” he said.

Cajegas said that there is no need to fear donating blood as medical professionals are present to screen potential donors and determine if they are eligible, thus, it is essential to be honest during the screening process.

The SPMC Blood Bank successfully collected 159 bags of blood during the event. 

Rep. Duterte thanked participants and said donated  blood would significantly help those who urgently need blood transfusions and his office plans to continue the program to support the people of Davao.

HERE WE GO DAVAO!

#ConstructionUpdate

87% COMPLETION OF DAVAO BYPASS ROAD TUNNEL

The construction of 2.3 km. Twin Mountain Road Tunnel part of Davao City ByPass Construction Project is almost done.

It's 87.72% ( 1,965 meters ) completion progress as of October 2024 for Northbound side and for Southbound side, it's 78.30% ( 1,761 meters ) progress.

FYI: The entire Davao City Bypass Construction Project has 45.62 km. from Barangay Sirawan, Toril, Davao City to Brgy. J.P. Laurel, Panabo City, Metro Davao.

DPWH

CCTO

#TheDavaoeños

#TheDabawenyos

#DavaoCityBypassRoadProject

#davaodigitalnews #DavaoCity

#Davao #MetroDavao

#DavaoDigitalNews #DavaoNewMedia

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Bangsamoro Parliament OKs Indigenous Peoples' Act of 2024

BY KEITH BACONGCO

Dec 12, 2024 10:12 PM 

DAVAO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament passed the long-awaited Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples’ Act (BIPA) of 2024 on third and final reading during a special session on Dec. 10.

The BIPA, also known as the Indigenous Peoples (IP) Code, was approved with 63 votes in favor, zero against, and no abstentions. 

FARMERS haul bags of corn in Barangay Kuya, South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur. (Keith Bacongco)

The BIPA is one of the priority measures that must be passed during the transition period under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

As mandated by the BOL, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was tasked to pass  the IP Code, one of the six codes eyed to be passed before the end of its term and in time for the first BARMM parliamentary elections next year.

The BTA has passed other priority measures, including the Administrative Code, Education Code, Civil Service Code, Local Governance Code, and Electoral Code. 

The BOL recognized the IP groups within region as Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP), composed of the  Téduray, Lambangian, Dulangan Manobo, Erumanun Ne Menuvu, Higaonon, B’laan, Badjao, Sama Dilaut, Jama Mapun, Sama Bangingi, and Sama Pangutaran, among others. 

In a statement, the Bangsamoro Parliament said the passage of the law is a historic success in  the region’s ongoing peace process and commitment to inclusive governance.

It added that the law seeks to address the long-standing challenges faced by tribal communities in the Bangsamoro region, adding that the newly-enacted law introduces a comprehensive legal framework to protect and empower the NMIPs that represent about two percent of the BARMM’s 4.4-million population.

Many of these IP groups are located in the hinterlands of Maguindanao provinces and some villages in the Special Geographic Areas.

Under the newly-enacted law, one of its core provisions is the explicit recognition of IPs’ ownership over their ancestral domains, referred to as fusaka ingëd, which include the lands, forests, rivers, and other natural resources historically owned and utilized by these communities.

The IP Code also established the Fusaka Ingëd Development Office (FIDO) under the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) which will coordinate efforts for the socio-economic development of ancestral domains.

Prior to its enactment,  various NMIP groups have expressed concern on the version of the IP code that the BTA had been pushing.

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The NMIP groups are wary that the BTA’s version of IP Code may not truly reflect the aspirations of IPs in the region. 

Among the groups that expressed concern are the Gempe te Kelindaan ne Kamal te Erumanen ne Menuvu (Erumanen ne Menuvu), Mënubù Dulangan Tribal Justice and Self-Governance (Mënubù Dulangan), and Timuay Justice and Governance (Tëduray and Lambangian). 

These IP groups have yet to issue a statement on the enactment of BIPA as of posting time. 

BTA Committee on Indigenous Peoples Affairs (CIPA) Chairman Ramon Piang said that the BIPA is an enhanced version of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act.

Piang added that the BIPA is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the Bangsamoro indigenous population.

He said that the law also aims to rectify historical injustices and combat the socio-economic marginalization of IPs, ensuring they have better access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Under the new law, an Indigenous Peoples’ Council will be created to ensure the voices of tribes are heard in matters affecting their communities.

Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong said that BIPA is aligned with the Bangsamoro government’s larger vision for creating a better and more just society in which no group is left behind in its pursuit of development.  

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

 

Mark your calendars! Starting December 01, 2024, the much-awaited #PeryaSaPaskoFiesta opens its gates to fun, and excitement! This will run until December 27, 2024, so gather your family and friends for a memorable #PaskoFiesta2024 celebration.

Enjoy thrilling rides, and fun-filled games that will make your holiday season extra special. Don’t miss out on the fun—let’s make this holiday brighter and happier, together for everyone!