The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) College Red Cross Youth (RCY) Council successfully conducted its Mass Blood Donation Drive on January 21, 2025, mobilizing students, university officials, community members, and partner organizations to address the increasing demand for blood supply. Held at the University of Batangas Lipa City Gymnasium, the initiative underscores the council’s commitment to humanitarian service while supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being and fostering collaboration aligned with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Organized in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross – Batangas Chapter, Lipa City Branch, the activity responded to the urgent need for blood in Batangas and nationwide. In her opening remarks, Ms. Iris Kay Recto, Branch Head of the Philippine Red Cross – Batangas Chapter, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “the need for blood is really high. And not only Batangas, but the whole Philippines needs blood.” She expressed her appreciation to the University of Batangas for answering the call for emergency blood donation and recognized the active role of the Red Cross Youth Council in sustaining blood donation initiatives.
Key officials present during the activity included Mr. Ronald G. Generoso, Chapter Administrator of the Philippine Red Cross – Batangas Chapter, and Atty. Vicente Bernardo V. Mayo, Jr., Board of Director of the Philippine Red Cross Batangas Chapter and University of Batangas Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs, whose attendance reinforced institutional support for the initiative.
Building on the success of previous blood donation campaigns, the UBLC RCY Council continues to strengthen volunteer engagement and community participation. Ms. Ashley Shyree Trinity Enriquez, Vice President for Internal Affairs of the UBLC College Red Cross Youth Council, shared that the Council’s efforts have steadily grown over time, stating, “From collecting 29 blood bags in our first drive and 34 in the second, to reaching 147 blood bags in the third, this remarkable growth has become a strong source of motivation that fuels our commitment to volunteerism.” She added that the community’s compassion and willingness to help remain key factors in sustaining participation across initiatives.
Beyond blood donation, the Council is set to implement additional programs aimed at strengthening youth capacity and humanitarian awareness. Ms. Enriquez noted plans for skill-based and service-oriented activities, including WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) education, Youth Volunteer Formation Course (YVFC), Red Cross-accredited trainings, and pop-up information booths focused on health awareness, disaster preparedness, and volunteerism. A proposed Disaster Risk Reduction and Management training for the High School Department, in partnership with the UBLC Senior Plus RCY Council and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Batangas, is also part of the Council’s upcoming initiatives.
In line with the 80th Anniversary celebration of the University of Batangas, the UBLC RCY Council likewise plans to establish informational and advocacy booths that will promote blood donation, humanitarian service, and youth participation in nation-building. These efforts aim to foster a culture of compassion, civic engagement, and social responsibility within the university community.
Through its sustained blood donation initiatives and expanding humanitarian programs, the UBLC College Red Cross Youth Council continues to demonstrate the vital role of youth leadership in promoting public health, strengthening partnerships, and advancing community-centered service. This initiative reflects the University of Batangas Lipa City’s enduring commitment to its core value of service to fellowmen, as it empowers students to lead with compassion, responsibility, and civic engagement in addressing real-world needs.