21/05/2026
LGU Ibajay Makes History with ₱500,000 Pledge to PRC Aklan’s Blood Samaritan Program
IBAJAY, AKLAN. It is a significant milestone for public health and local governance, when the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Ibajay officially forged a partnership with Philippine Red Cross through Aklan Chapter by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held on May 20, 2026, establishing the municipality's formal entry into the Blood Samaritan Program.
The LGU Ibajay has allocated a groundbreaking ₱500,000.00 to fund the said program. This represents the largest single financial commitment to the Blood Samaritan Program by any municipality in the province of Aklan to date, setting a new benchmark for localized humanitarian support.
The Blood Samaritan Program is a vital life-saving initiative aimed at assisting indigent, vulnerable, and marginalized patients by covering the processing fees of blood products, ensuring that financial hardships do not stand in the way of critical, timely medical care.
The historic signing was personally led by Municipal Mayor Jose Miguel M. Miraflores and PRC Aklan Chapter Chairman Emmanuel Soviet Russia A. Dela Cruz, signifying a powerful alliance between the local government and the humanitarian organization.
Also present to witness and support the formalization of the partnership were, Committee on Health Chair - Sangguniang Bayan Member Rita Magbiray, Municipal Budget Officer Juvy Mae Z. Jalop, Municipal Blood Donor Coordinator - Mr. Stephen Ion C. Muyo, RMT, and PRC Aklan Chapter Administrator Ms. Mary Joe B. Galeon.
With this milestone agreement, Ibajay officially becomes the 9th municipality in Aklan to actively collaborate with PRC Aklan for this life-saving cause.
The steady expansion of the Blood Samaritan network across the province underscores the progressive commitment of Aklan’s local leaders to community health and volunteerism. Thank you to the following LGUs, Tangalan (October 2018), Balete (July 2018), Nabas (February 2022), Kalibo (May 2023), Altavas (March 2024), Libacao (March 2025), Banga (October 2025), Batan (October 2025), and Ibajay (May 2026).
While celebrating this historic partnership with Ibajay, PRC Aklan continues its aggressive advocacy campaign to achieve total municipal coverage across the province. The chapter is actively reaching out to the remaining eight LGUs to join the cause and establish their respective Blood Samaritan funds - Buruanga, Lezo, Makato, Malinao, Madalag, Numancia, New Washington, and Malay.
Through these sustained collaborative efforts, PRC Aklan and its partner LGUs aim to ensure that safe, adequate, and accessible blood is readily available to every Aklanon in need, ensuring that no life is lost due to poverty.
Want to learn more about the Philippine Red Cross and how you can save lives? Visit their page here: https://redcross.org.ph/
