24/07/2026
Bontoc LYDO Honored at Philippine Red Cross Awarding Ceremony for Life-Saving Blood Donation Drive Leadership
BONTOC, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE — July 24, 2026 — The Bontoc Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) was officially recognized for its exceptional commitment to community welfare and youth-led humanitarian initiatives during the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Blood Donation Partners Awarding Ceremony held today at the Governor Leonard Mayaen Sports Complex in Bontoc.
Guided by the theme "Resilience in Unity: Celebrating Lifesavers and Strengthening Community Partnership," the annual ceremony honors outstanding local government units, youth organizations, and partner agencies whose steadfast efforts maintain a sustainable, safe, and reliable blood supply across the province.
The award highlights the Bontoc LYDO’s proactive role in organizing community-wide bloodletting activities, mobilizing student groups, and conducting educational awareness drives on voluntary blood donation. By fostering active participation among young residents, the office has helped build a reliable network of regular voluntary donors across Bontoc’s barangays.
During the ceremony, representatives from the Philippine Red Cross praised the office’s consistency and passion in turning civic responsibility into actionable community impact.
"Youth involvement is at the heart of disaster preparedness and public health," noted Chari K. Wachayna, OIC Chapter Administrator of PRC-MP during the presentation. "The dedication of the Bontoc Local Youth Development Office demonstrates how uniting our youth around a shared humanitarian purpose creates a resilient, life-saving community."
The initiative’s success relied on a three-pronged strategy centered around engagement, education, and teamwork. First, the office spearheaded dynamic youth mobilization campaigns across the municipality, actively encouraging young adults and student organizations to step up as regular blood donors. To build trust and clear up common misconceptions, the team conducted community-wide information sessions that highlighted how simple donations directly save lives during local emergencies and support indigent patients in need. Finally, seamless inter-agency collaboration powered the entire operation, as the team maintained close coordination with municipal health offices, barangay youth councils (Sangguniang Kabataan), and the Red Cross Youth to ensure every blood drive was safe, well-organized, and widely attended.
Accepting the award, YDO Ross A. Kiat-ong, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the young donors, volunteers, and local leaders who made the recognition possible. The office reaffirmed its commitment to expanding health awareness programs and sustaining its close partnership with the Philippine Red Cross in the years ahead.
About the Bontoc Local Youth Development Office (LYDO)
The Bontoc Local Youth Development Office operates under the Municipal Government of Bontoc, dedicated to empowering youth through leadership development, health and wellness initiatives, civic engagement, and community service.
NYC Cordillera & Ilocos Region NYC Sangguniang Kabataan Ross Kiat-ong
