NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  9645 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Regional Blood Centers are necessary as it gives nearby hospitals access to a supply of blood, 
and they guarantee a prompt and efficient response during emergencies, such as accidents 
or natural disasters. In an emergency, this quickness is vital for saving lives. 
Establishing blood facilities across various regions fosters community support and 
involvement as well. When people understand that giving blood directly benefits their local 
community and establishes a stable and long-lasting supply of blood, they are more inclined 
to donate. 
The creation of plantilla positions within regional blood centers improves operational 
efficiency. By ensuring that qualified individuals are available to oversee and plan crucial 
tasks, these roles help to maintain the blood supply system's overall resilience. These experts 
are essential to quality assurance, inventory control, and collaboration with nearby healthcare 
providers. Their presence is essential for preserving the quality of blood products and 
efficiently meeting the changing needs of the community. 
Indeed, the establishment of the Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center (NMRBC) would 
greatly help with the enhancement of blood and blood product safety and the delivery of 
adequate and quality blood supplies to the most vulnerable in the Northern Mindanao Region. 
In view of the foregoing reason, the expeditious approval of this proposed bill is earnestly 
sough 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
December 4, 2023
8:35 am


NINETEENTH CONGRESS  
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  9645 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NORTHERN MINDANAO REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER IN 
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. The existing Regional Blood Center facility situated in the Department of Health 
Center of Health Development Norther Mindanao (DOH-.CHD-NM), City of Cagayan de Oro 
shall be upgraded and converted into the Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center. 
SECTION 2. The facilities of the Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center shall be 
upgraded and increased, consistent with the DOH regulatory requirements. 
SECTION 3. The Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center shall be under the supervision 
of the Regional Director of the DOH-CHD-NM and shall have the following functions: 
a. Ensure the safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products to all
hospitals and health service facilities in the region in terms of distribution and
delivery;
b. Motivate, retain and care for voluntary blood donors;
c.
Collect blood from qualified voluntary blood donors;
d. Perform in-house and mobile apheresis procedures;
e. Perform in-house and mobile whole blood donation;
f.
Test units of blood for transfusion-transmissible infections;
g. Process whole blood into blood components;
h. Perform specialized procedures in the processing of blood including, but not
limited to: pathogen reduction, leukoreduction, leukodepletion, and blood
irradiation;
i.
Store, issue, transport and distribute whole blood and blood components to
end-user hospitals and non-hospital health facilities;
j.
Perform blood and blood product quality control checks on other blood
centers;
k.
Conduct training and research on blood service facility personnel in their
geographic region;
l.
Conduct clinical research and trials;
m. Input data into registry for rare blood types;
n. Ensure efficiency of blood services through continuous capacity building and
provision of blood program logistics;
o. Strengthening of Regional Blood services Network through the periodic
conduct of quality assessment and blood service facility visitation/monitoring;
p. Perform other special procedures expected of a blood service facility that is
contextually appropriate;
q. Perform any and all other acts that are necessary or appropriate to carry out
the provisions of the law.


 
SECTION 4. Tax Exemptions and other Privileges. - The provision of any general or special 
law to the contrary notwithstanding, all donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments 
received by the Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center pursuant hereto, shall be exempt 
from income, gift and all other kinds of taxes, and shall be further considered as allowable 
deductions from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the 
National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health, in consultation 
with the concerned sector regulators, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and 
regulations for the implementation of this Act: Provided, that, the Secretary may revise such 
implementing rules and regulations as it deems necessary: Provided, however, that such 
revised implementing rules and regulations shall only take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
SECTION 6. Appropriation. - The number of medical and administrative personnel, the 
amount necessary for personnel services, maintenance and other operating expenses and 
capital outlay of the Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center shall be immediately included 
in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and the years 
thereafter. The Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Budget and 
Management and the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, and after consultation 
with the Regional Director of the DOHCHD-NM, determine the additional plantilla positions 
to be created pursuant to this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared void or 
unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions thereof shall not be affected by such 
declaration. 
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,