Section 4. Promotion of Voluntary Blood Donation. —

In order to ensure adequate supply of human blood, voluntary blood donation shall be promoted through the following:

1. Public Education. — Through an organized and sustained nationwide public education campaign by the Department, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the Philippine Blood Coordinating Council (PBCC), as the lead agencies, other government agencies, local government units (particularly the barangays), non-governmental organizations, all medical organizations, all public and private hospitals, all health and health-related institutions, print and broadcast media as well as other sectors. The Department is hereby authorized to set aside funds and generate financial support for all sectors involved in the collection and processing of blood from voluntary blood donors through a system of reimbursement for costs for patients who can afford to pay or from donations from government and private institutions. Voluntary donors shall likewise be provided non-monetary incentives as may be determined by the Department.

2. Promotion in Schools. — The benefits and rationale of voluntary blood donation shall be included and given emphasis in health subjects of schools, both public and private, at the elementary, high school and college levels. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall also require such inclusion in its non-formal education curricula.

3. Professional Education. — The Department, the PBCC, the Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (PSHBT), the Philippine Society of Pathologists (PSP), the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) and the Philippine Nursing Association (PNA) are encouraged to conduct for their respective members and as part of the continuing medical education, trainings on the rationale use of blood and blood products including the merits of voluntary blood donation.

4. Establishment of Blood Services Network. — Blood centers shall be strategically established in every province and city nationwide within the framework of a National Blood Transfusion Service Network spearheaded by the Department, in coordination with the PNRC. The collection of blood in various areas in the community, such as schools, business enterprises, barangays, and military camps shall be promoted.

   The Secretary shall set the standards for the scientific and professional establishment and operation of blood banks/centers and collection units. The Department shall provide training programs and technical assistance to enable communities, schools, industrial and business sites, barangays, military camps and local government units to implement their own voluntary blood donation programs.

5. Walking Blood Donors. — In areas where there may be inadequate blood banking facilities, the walking blood donor concept shall be encouraged and all government hospitals, rural-health units, health centers and barangays in these areas shall be required to keep at all times a list of qualified blood donors with their specified blood typing.