The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Muslim Blood Donation (MBD) Program received highest award during the recent Sandugo Award given by the Department of Health on December 3, 2013 at Kidapawan City.

Central Mindanao Region, headed by its Regional Manager, Prof. Hashim Manticayan, accepted the said award in behalf of the BDA.

“We are very glad of this achievement for our MBD under the Heath and Sanitation program of BDA”, said Manager Manticayan. According to him, BDA cannot achieve this if not for the support of the Bangsamoro donors.

Having inspired by this award, Manager Manticayan is looking forward for more donors. The Region is targeting 5,000 donors in 2014 through its usual donors, the development catalysts, people’s organizations and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) line agencies all over Central Mindanao.

Other Sandugo Awardees recognized were: Philippine National Police (PNP) of Parang, second place; 38^th Infantry Battalion under 6^th Infantry Division of Philippine Army, third place; Bombo Radyo atGeneral Santos City, fourth place; and Aniceto Pesante, Sr. Memorial Hospital, Inc., fifth place.

During the awarding ceremony, 15 blood donors were also awarded as Blood Donor Galloners. This recognition is given to them for having donated blood for 8 consecutive times. Twelve out 15 came from BDA MBD donors.

The Muslim Blood Donation Program

Muslim Blood Donation (MBD) is a regular program of BDA. It was initiated and organized by the Central Mindanao Region in 2008.

The program aims to contribute in addressing the huge and continuing necessity of blood in Central Mindanao and its neighboring places. It has a theme of “Be a Healthy Muslim, Share Life, Donate Blood”.

The activity is conducted in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)-Cotabato Chapter and the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC). Health professional from this medical institutions do the actual donation process. Collected units of blood are deposited to the blood banks of these institutions.

The program conducts its first ever blood donation on October 28, 2008 with 39 donors. Through strong advocacy on the importance of donating blood, the program was able to reach large number of donors every year.

According to Ms. Carolyn Piang, Coordinator of the MBD Program, they produced information materials such as pamphlets, tarpaulins and tapped radio stations for this advocacy. Announcements to masjids also helped in disseminating the information.

One of the organizers of the program, Dr. Sherjan Kalim, heading the Health and Sanitation Program of BDA said that they used both of two references in making people understand the benefits of donating blood. “We used some verses of the Holy Qur’an and the health benefit aspect to provide better understanding of the people to this cause, said Dr. Sherjan Kalim.

Its recognition in 2010 as the 10^th Highest Mobile Blood Donor of the DOH 12 and being the 3^rd in 2010 likewise helped in encouraging more to donate and organize the same activity in the provinces of Central Mindanao.

The following provinces under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) identified territories have been already conducting the same blood donor activity: (1) Ligawasan- Poblacion, Pikit (2) Iranun- Poblacion, Matanog and Poblacion, Parang (3) Magindanaw- Darapanan and Kabuntalan (4) Bandar Kutawatu - Lagundungan, Kalanganan (5) Kapalawan- Manarapan and Lanoon, Carmen and Banisilan, North Cotabato (6) North Cotabato- Kabacan and Mlang (7) Buayan - Kitango, Datu Piang (8) Damakling- Buluan and Datu Paglas (9) Daguma- Isulan (10) Kutawatu- Bugawas, DOS and Poblacion 2, Lebak.

The policy on “No deposit of blood, no withdrawal of blood” also helps in the advocacy. “Through this, people are encouraged to donate blood. They understand also the importance of giving than receiving”, said Mrs. Piang.

The next blood donation will be on January 19, 2014 at BDA RMO-Central Mindanao, 23 Jasmin Street, Barangay Rosary Heights 6, Cotabato City.