The Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Datu Saudi Municipality in Maguindanao supported the Muslim Blood Donation (MBD) conducted by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA)-Buwayan Province in partnership with Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) which was held in Municipal Gymnasium, Barangay Salbu of the above-named municipality last September 26, 2015.

The said MBD was conducted with close supervision of the BDA-Central Mindanao (CenMin) Region.

According to Ansarie Abubakar, Provincial Development Catalysts (PDC) of BDA-Buwayan Province, “this was the first time for Datu Saudi to host the conduct of MBD under Buwayan province”.

“And to a great surprise, never in my expectation to receive and see, with feeling of deep satisfaction, the support of MLGU led by Hon. Mayor Samsudin U. Dimaukom, Al-haj,”Abubakar added.

Hon. Samsudin U. Dimaukom, Al-haj with his wife Bai Aneda A. Dimaukom, Al-hajah and other family members were present in support to this noble-purpose activity.

Abubakar further reported that the Mayor was very smiling and humbly interacted with people during the event which showed his great appreciation of the activity.

“He even expressed expansion of the said activity in the barangay level of his municipality”, Abubakar added.

Her wife, on the other hand, supervised the food distribution to the donors and visitors which showed her hospitality.

Zaiton U. Dimaukom, president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) of Datu Saudi upon donating blood also expressed appreciation to this activity and emphasized the need of a resolution from the Sangguniang Bayan towards the expansion of conducting MBD down to barangay level.

Rosdith Buntag, BDA-CenMin Regional Coordinator of MBD expressed thanks and gratitude to Mayor Dimaukom, Al-haj with his wife, and to the MLGU of Datu Saudi for their warm welcome and support that contributed to the success of this undertaking.

“I was so impressed on the warm welcome to us by Hon. Mayor Dimaukom, Al-haj with his loving wife”, Buntag said.

Norma Silad, MBD Provincial Coordinator for BDA-Buwayan Province reported that the said MBD resulted to twenty one (21) units of blood collected out of fifty (50) attendants.

Accordingly, some of the attendants were only observing, some were only present as sign of their welcome and appreciation to the activity while the other did not qualify in the screening process e.g. some were below 50 kilograms, concern on blood pressure, others.

“We are expecting more number of blood units in the future as we see increased interest of the people and their commitment to donate blood,”Silad added.

PDC Abubakar in his final message also expressed commendation to Mayor Dimaukom, Al-haj with his wife and to the MLGU of Datu Saudi for their warm welcome and strong support that resulted to the successful first ever conducted MBD.

Further, PDC Abubakar ensured the blood donors that their blood will be properly protected for the sake of saving the lives of those in need.

Datu Saudi is among the municipalities covered BDA-Buwayan Province, one of the 11 provinces under the BDA-CenMin Region.