Seven Barangays Reach the 1 Percent Mark
GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The Sandugo Awarding 2026 placed a spotlight on seven General Santos City barangays that met a significant benchmark in voluntary blood donation. Batomelong, East, North, Olympog, San Jose, South, and Upper Labay were recognized after reaching a 1 percent blood donation rate based on their catchment population in 2025. The recognition reflects participation at the community level, where barangay officials, health workers, residents, and volunteers can help make blood donation activities accessible to more people. Instead of focusing on individual donors alone, the awards highlighted the contribution of entire communities to a program that depends on a steady supply of voluntary blood donors.
San Isidro Leads the Barangay Donor Count
Among the General Santos City barangays recognized at the ceremony, Barangay San Isidro received the distinction of Top Barangay Local Government Unit for recording the highest number of blood donors at the barangay level. Punong Barangay Edward Frederick J. Yumang received the award on behalf of the barangay. The General Santos City Sangguniang Panlungsod's official barangay profile also identifies Yumang as the current Punong Barangay of San Isidro, providing an independent government source for his position. The award gives particular attention to the scale of participation achieved by San Isidro while the other recognized barangays were honored for meeting the 1 percent population-based benchmark.
A Community Effort Behind Every Donation
The ceremony also recognized the wider contribution of barangays and community partners that supported blood-donation activities throughout the year. Representing the City Government of General Santos at the August 27 event were City Health Officer Dr. Lalaine M. Calonzo and Alexander Percii Valorey Arado, while the City Health Office acknowledged the efforts of other barangays that took part in donation activities. The recognitions serve as a reminder that maintaining a dependable blood supply involves more than hospitals and medical personnel; it also requires residents who are willing to donate and communities that help organize participation. For General Santos City, the Sandugo awards provide a concrete record of barangay-level involvement in a life-saving public-health effort.
