The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in Pangasinan is appealing for more blood donors as demand continues to rise early this 2026, putting pressure on the province’s blood supply, officials said.

Early Tuesday morning, Jomar Ferrer went to the Dagupan City Blood Center of the Philippine Red Cross to request four bags of blood for his father, who is scheduled to undergo surgery later in the day.

“Kailangan po ng apat na bag pero ’yung unang bag ang kailangan kasi 4 p.m. na ’yung operation. Meron kasi ’yung urgent na kailangan pa maghanap ng donor, tapos ipo-process pa po,” Ferrer said.

The PRC-Pangasinan Chapter said many residents have already approached their office this January to request blood. While the blood center can still accommodate requests, officials admitted that supplies are beginning to decline as demand increases.

Rex Vincent Escaño, officer-in-charge administrator of the PRC-Pangasinan Chapter, said the situation is driven by the growing number of patients in need.

“Dahil po ito sa tumataas na demand or mga nangangailangan sa atin, so tinatapatan po natin sa pamamagitan ng mga blood donation,” Escaño said.

According to PRC, the demand for blood started to increase as early as the first quarter of 2025. Most requests come from patients with dengue, individuals involved in accidents, and those injured during the recent holiday season.

Last year, the province recorded a shortage of about 2,000 blood bags after several blood donation activities were postponed due to successive calamities that hit Pangasinan.

“Na-challenge lang po tayo noong sumabay ’yung bagyo. Though we have avenues kung saan pwedeng mag-donate, kaya lang siyempre, safety first,” Escaño said.

In response, the PRC has intensified its call for the public to donate blood to help boost supply and meet rising patient needs.

PRC Secretary General Richard Gordon earlier urged Filipinos to take part in blood donation drives.

“The need for blood is currently outpacing our incoming donations. Help us close the gap today. Patient requests are on the rise. We need your help to ensure we stay ahead of the curve,” Gordon said.

The Philippine Red Cross reminded the public that donating blood is safe and can help save lives, especially as hospitals continue to see an increasing number of patients in need of immediate transfusions.