BAGUIO CITY –
Violators of city ordinances of this summer capital may soon find themselves
being extracted of their blood as penalty for their infractions.
The city council is
now studying the proposal to make blood donation an alternative mode of
settlement of administrative fines for violation of city ordinances that carry
the penalty of payment of fines.
City Councilor Joel
Alangsab who filed the proposal July 20 said the ordinance was referred to the
committee on health chaired by Councilor Elaine Sembrano during its last
session following its approval on first reading.
Alangsab said the
proposal known as “blood for fine ordinance” aims to increase the supply of
blood for patients to assure the sufficient supply of safe blood for all.
The proposal
mentioned that under Republic Act 7719 known as the “National Blood Services
Act of 1994” it is a declared policy of the state to promote and encourage
voluntary blood donation by the citizens and to instill public consciousness of
the principle that blood donation is a humanitarian act.”
It further said
that while there is a huge demand for blood supply to saves lives and improve
health, millions of patients needing it do not have timely access to safe
blood.
Once the
proposal is approved, those meted with a fine ranging from Php500 to Php1,000
can settle the administrative penalty by giving his blood. “Upon apprehension,
the violator shall be informed by the law enforcer of the options to donate
blood or to pay the corresponding fee.”
The violator has
seven days to donate blood to the Baguio Health Services Office (HSO) and failure
to do so within the period will compel the person to pay the fine. The HSO
shall bear the cost of the screening the blood and all other expenses needed to
pursue the donation.
However, if it
is found that the blood contains impurities, the person shall be required to
pay the administrative fine for the violation he committed.
But because
blood donation cannot be done more often than every three months, the person
can only take the blood donation option beyond the three months period.
As a matter of
procedure, upon completion of the blood donation, the violator is issued a
certification which the person has to present to the city treasurer’s office
for the offsetting of the administrative fine.
Alangsab, in an
interview, said this will not just be a deterrent for persons from violating
the city’s ordinances but in the end will help save lives of people who are
facing medical emergencies. -- Liza T. Agoot/PNA
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