Kalinga Gov. James Edduba celebrates 60th birthday thru Bloodletting activity in Pasil

Tabuk City, Kalinga – As what he has been doing since 2008, Kalinga Governor James Sagmayao Edduba led anew a bloodletting activity on Thursday, February 20, 2025, this time marking his 60th birthday.

The governor’s yearly tradition to host such events in celebration of his birthday stemmed from his experience of nearly losing the life of a love one due to the unavailability of blood for a transfusion.

According to the Kalinga Information office, when Gov. Edduba was yet a Mayor in Pasil, a niece was infected with Dengue virus and badly needed blood. The governor found it difficult to get blood for transfusion, nearly losing the life of his niece. Since then, Gov. Edduba dedicated himself to donating blood and holding a blood donation drive during his birthdays as means to help in ensuring availability of blood.

In line also with his LUMIN-AWA Kalinga Eight-Point Agenda, the bloodletting activity successfully collected 64 blood units. The collected blood bags will be kept in certified blood station facilities throughout the province, ensuring they are easily accessible when necessary.

During an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Edduba took the chance to explain that donating blood is not merely an act of kindness but a vital mission to address blood shortage not just in Kalinga but the country as a whole.

He also called on everyone to participate in such initiatives to ensure that no patient is ever turned away due to a lack of resources.

“Kas maysa nga citizen nga responsable ken adaan ti ayat na ti pada na nga tao, it is our duty to donate blood. It is our pleasure. Tandaan tayo koma nga each donation is not just a gift—it is a lifeline, so I urge every iKalingas nga makiparticipate tayo ti kakastoy nga aktibidad. Together, we can provide a brighter future for our ‘kailyans”, most especially our children," he added.

In his ongoing commitment to iKalingas, Edduba demonstrated that true leadership goes beyond occupying a position; it involves making real contributions to the community, as he showed by each blood donation he initiated and spearheaded.

Edduba likewise mentioned of his dream that one day Kalinga will have its own blood bank.