A LAWMAKER is pushing for the passage of a bill that seeks to modernize the Philippine Blood Center (PBC) and strengthen its role in ensuring timely and safe access to life-saving blood services.
Parañaque Rep. Brian Yamsuan said converting the PBC into an institution with administrative autonomy and stable funding would allow it to effectively address the country’s persistent shortage of blood supply, particularly during disasters and public health emergencies.
‘The Philippine Blood Center currently operates without a legislative charter, and its budget remains limited for it to properly perform its functions as the national service facility for blood collection, testing, distribution, and other blood-related services. It is very important that it be given enough funds and authority because of its extremely critical role in saving lives,’ Yamsuan said.
‘As the country celebrates National Blood Donors Month to raise awareness about voluntary blood donation and recognize selfless blood donors, we should, likewise, put equal focus on the need to institutionalize a national blood center to promote the uniform implementation of standards for blood safety and availability,’ he added.
To address these gaps, Yamsuan filed House Bill 7871, which seeks to institutionalize the PBC and provide it with an initial funding of P100 million.
The PBC was established in 2005 through an administrative issuance of the Department of Health (DOH) to serve as the national service facility for blood collection, testing, processing, storage, and distribution, as well as donor recruitment and training.
Despite these vital functions, the PBC operates without a legislative charter. Thus, its existence, authority, organizational structure, and funding remain dependent on administrative issuances and executive priorities.
‘The PBC was established twenty-one years ago, yet up to now, many of our countrymen depend on the Philippine Red Cross if they need blood for critical surgeries, diseases, and traumatic injuries. This is because the PBC lacks the funds and authority to implement its functions,’ he added.
Yamsuan said institutionalizing the PBC through HB 7871 will ensure the center has sufficient funding necessary for it to invest in modern technologies and infrastructure and sustain a nationwide blood donor mobilization drive to fill the country’s annual requirement of one million units of blood.
To bring blood services closer to underserved communities, the bill also provides for the establishment of regional blood centers that would be fully coordinated with the PBC to ensure that their operations remain aligned with national standards and policies.
‘This approach promotes equity in accessing blood services and will dramatically improve response times during emergencies. It will also strengthen capacities at the local level for blood collection and other blood services and enhance preparedness during public health crises and disasters when rapid mobilization is critical,’ Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan said this network would improve access to blood services, enhance local capacities, and ensure faster response during emergencies and disasters.
He added that the proposal aligns with World Health Organization recommendations, which call for a nationally coordinated blood system backed by a legislative framework to ensure the safety, quality, and adequate supply of blood and blood products across the country.