Barotac Viejo ranks first in collecting blood
Mayor Tupas is Red Cross’ Outstanding Local Government Executive
The three awards the municipality of
Barotac Viejo earned in one occasion.
The municipality of Barotac Viejo earned three highest awards during the 11th Donors’ Recognition Ceremony held by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Training Center in Iloilo City last July 24, 2009 at the PNRC Training Center in Iloilo City.
One of the most notable awards received was the Outstanding Local Government Executive Award in implementing Voluntary Blood Donation Program duly given to Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul “Boboy” Tupas and to two other mayors in the province
This was the first time that the PNRC Regional Center gave a separate recognition to Local Government Executives and Mayor Boboy snatched the top outstanding award.
In the said award, Mayor Boboy was recognized for the “distinction in being a consistent Outstanding Local Government Executive for eight consecutive years by exemplary and meritorious service to the promotion of Voluntary Blood Donation Program of the PNRC.”
Mayor Boboy spearheaded the Voluntary Blood Donation Program for eight years since 2001 and conducted a total of 23 mass blood donation activities, whereby collecting a total of 2, 891 blood units. The PNRC also acknowledged Mayor Boboy for providing the biggest financial assistance for blood processing since 2006 until year 2009 in the amount of P250,000.00. Through these activities, the PNRC stated that Mayor Boboy has enormously promoted the essence of a voluntary blood donation in the municipality.
In his eight years of commitment to PNRC’s programs, he was awarded three times the National Sandugo award, the highest award given by the PNRC to a local government executive for implementing blood programs.
The municipality on the other hand, was awarded as the first bloodiest group being the highest in blood collections and remarkably implemented blood donations in 2008.
The town also received a testimonial plaque for having been strongly committed to the program for several years. The PNRC gave the plaque to three chosen municipalities which excellently implemented its programs and gained national and local awards thereof.
Among the national recognition the municipality of Barotac Viejo received in implementing the blood programs are Certificate of Appreciation in 1999, Merit Certificate in 2000, Diploma of Service in 2002, Blood Program Outstanding Award in 2004, Merit Certificate in 2005, Scroll of Honor in 2006 and Blood Program Outstanding Award in 2008. The local awards received were: First Bloodiest in 2004, Second Bloodiest in 2005, Second Bloodiest in 2006 and First Bloodiest in 2007.
PNRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, in her message, commended Mayor Boboy and Mayors Isabelo Maquino of Sta. Barbara and Ramon Yee of Cabatuan, who also earned the outstanding award, for being “real leaders and fathers of their towns by admirably implementing the blood donation program of the PNRC and helping the organization save lives.”
Sangguniang Bayan Member Isidro Engada Jr., and Association of Barangay Captains President Elda Bandajandong received the awards on behalf of Mayor Boboy, who is in Valencia City, Bukidnon for a paternal leave.
The Barotac Viejo District Hospital through the leadership of its Chief, Dr. Armando Dumdum, was also given a certificate of appreciation for implementing the PNRC voluntary blood program.
Dr. Judith S. Jimeno, Blood Center Manger of the PNRC Western Visayas expressed joy upon sharing that the Center is number one in blood collection nationwide and said she is confident that the center will reach the 20,000 target units of blood in 2010 through the strong help of the Local Government Units, hospitals, schools, and other private and public organizations./By Lory Ann Dumdum