Naga City receives Sandugo Award again

THE Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) officially opened the Bicol Sandugo Summit and Awards today, October 21, 2026, at the La Piazza Hotel and Convention Center in Legazpi City.

This year’s summit anchors on the theme, “Safe Blood, Strong Communities: Strengthening Voluntary Blood Donation in Challenging Times,” reflecting the region’s persistent push to secure a safe, adequate, and highly reliable blood supply across all six Bicol provinces.

The high-profile event serves as a grand convergence for local chief executives, health advocates, civil society organizations, and dedicated voluntary blood donors, who health officials describe as the true “lifeline” of Bicol’s healthcare framework.

A central highlight of the summit is the prestigious awarding ceremony. The DOH Bicol CHD is giving the spotlight to local government units (LGUs) and civic partners that have consistently championed outstanding blood-donation campaigns and voluntary, non-remunerated mobile blood drives over the past year. Among the top local government units recognized for its exceptional performance and community mobilization is LGU-Naga City, which stands as a key awardee for its robust commitment to maintaining a steady blood pipeline.

LGU-Naga City has been a national Sandugo awardee in previous years. Raquel Manalastas, Naga’s Program Coordinator, represented LGU-Naga in this Sandugo event in Legazpi, as Councilor Nathan Sergio, the city’s Program Director, is still recovering from a recent major medical operation.

The region has historically proven its capability in this sector; in recent years, Bicol’s proactive blood collection drives successfully covered over 1.2% of its entire population, surpassing the 1% national baseline target set by the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP). Today’s convention aims to scale up these localized efforts by discussing best practices, innovating past logistical challenges, and cultivating a fresh generation of first-time and youth blood donors.

With the summit ongoing, health leaders reiterate that maintaining healthy blood banks is vital not just for routine operations, but for critical medical responses—including childbirth complications, traumatic injuries from natural disasters, and the management of chronic illnesses.