R.A. 7719

• R.A. 1517 established

  1956
• R.A. 7719 established

  1994
• R.A. 1517

  Established guidelines in setting commercial blood banks
• R.A. 7719


  Phased out commercial blood banks
• R.A. 1517

  Set a price-scheme for blood products
• Blood is FREE
• ABO: 35 pesos
• DONOR: 5 pesos
• Overpricing is punishable by 1-6 months in prison and a fine of 5,000-50,000 pesos
• This Act is known as the "National Blood Services Act of 1994"
• Aims of the Act

  • Promote volunteerism
  • Classification of Blood Service Facilities
• Promotion of Voluntary Blood Donation

  1. Public Education

  2. Promotion in Schools

  3. Professional Education

  4. Establishment of Blood Services Network

  5. Walking Blood Donors
• The National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) is planned and implemented by the Department of Health, in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and Philippine Blood Coordinating Council (PBCC) and other government agencies and non-governmental organizations
• All blood banks/centers shall provide preventive health services such as education and counselling on blood transfusion transmissible diseases
• All government hospitals, including those that have been devolved, shall be required to establish voluntary blood donation programs and all private hospitals shall be encouraged to establish voluntary blood donation programs
• The Department of Health, in consultation with the Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (PSHBT) and the Philippine Society of Pathologists (PSP), shall establish guidelines for the rational use of blood and blood products
• All commercial blood banks shall be phased-out over a period of two (2) years after the effectivity of this Act, extendable to a maximum period of two (2) years by the Secretary of Health
• All blood banks/centers shall operate on a non-profit basis, but they may collect service fees not greater than the maximum prescribed by the Department of Health
• All blood banks/centers shall operate on a non-profit basis
• Blood shall be collected from healthy voluntary donors only
• Regulation of Blood Sciences

  1. It shall be unlawful for any person to establish and operate a blood bank/center unless it is registered and issued a license to operate by the Department

  2. No license shall be granted or renewed by the Department for the establishment and operation of a blood bank/ center unless it complies with the standards prescribed by the Department

  3. Such blood bank/center shall be under the management of a licensed and qualified physician duly authorized by the Department
• In case of emergencies, blood collection and transfusion under the responsibility of the attending physician shall be allowed in hospitals without such license under certain conditions prescribed by the Department
• Equipment, blood bags and reagents used for the screening and testing of donors, collection and processing and storage of blood shall be imported tax and duty free by the PNRC, blood banks and hospitals participating actively in the National Voluntary Blood Services Program
• Rules and Regulations


  1. The implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary, within sixty (60) days from the approval hereof

  2. The existing Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Collection, Processing and Provision of Human Blood and the Establishment and Operation of Blood Banks shall remain in force unless amended or revised by the Secretary

  3. The rules and regulations shall prescribe from time to time the maximum ceiling for fees for the provision of blood, including its collection, processing and storage, professional services and a reasonable allowance for spoilage
• Any person or persons who shall be responsible for the above violation shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more than six (6) months, or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000), or both at the discretion of the competent court
• Any person who shall establish and operate a blood bank without securing any license to operate from the Department or who fails to comply with the standards prescribed by the Department referred to in Section 9 hereof shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day nor more than twenty (20) years or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P50,000), or both at the discretion of the competent court
• The head of the blood bank and the necessary trained personnel under the head's direct supervision found responsible for dispensing, transfusing and failing to dispose, within forty-eight (48) hours, blood which have been proven contaminated with blood transfusion transmissible diseases shall be imprisoned for ten (10) years
• This Act shall supersede Republic Act No. 1517 entitled "Blood Bank Act." The provisions of any law, executive order, presidential decree or other issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly
• This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation
• Philippine Red Cross (PRC)


  • Established in 1899 under the initiative of Apolinario Mabini
  • Recognized by the international community in 1947
  • Launched its National Blood Program in July 17, 1948
• Philippine Blood Coordinating Council (PBCC)


  • Main objective is public information and education
  • Engages in networking and coordination with related agencies as well as in research for advancement of the field
• Sources of Funds for National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

  • P 25M from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)
  • P 25M from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
  • P 25M from Duty Free Philippines
  • Other contributions by civic organizations
• A.O NO. 242 S. 1975 set the cost of blood types "A, B and O" at 55 pesos/500cc and an additional 5 pesos is charged for the use of the plastic bag
• A.O. NO. 291 S. 1976 allowed physicians to operate and manage a blood bank provided they are registered with the Board of Medical Examiner to practice the medical profession in the Philippines and have undergone training in a blood bank from an accredited blood banking institution