By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to boost the implementation of its Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP) so that all cities and municipalities across the country will receive their own patient transport vehicles (PTVs) by the end of 2025.
The President made the directive as he led the distribution of 387 PTVs to various local government units (LGUs) in Luzon, which is in line with the government’s efforts to improve Filipinos’ access to essential healthcare services, especially in remote areas.
“Ang instruction ko kay GM Mel Robles, sabi ko sa kaniya, kailangan by the end of the year, masabi na natin by the end of 2025, masabi natin na lahat na ng cities and municipalities ay nabigyan na natin nitong patient transport vehicle,” Marcos said during the turnover ceremony at Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
“We will continue to do this and hindi namin ititigil ito hangga’t lahat ng pangangailangan ng ating mga LGU ay nabigyan na natin, natugunan na natin ang kanilang requirement para dito sa mga patient transport vehicle na ito,” he added.
The 387 PTVs were distributed in: Ilocos Region (30), Cagayan Valley (72), Central Luzon (99), CALABARZON (27), MIMAROPA (60), Bicol Region (64), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (35).
Each PTV is equipped with essential medical tools, including a stretcher, oxygen tank, and blood pressure monitor to ensure safe patient transport. Notably, the PTVs are smaller in size than regular ambulances—ensuring timely emergency response, especially on narrow roads.
“Kaya pinili namin itong modelong ito na very appropriate na tamang-tama para sa Pilipinas. Hindi lamang dahil iyon na nga nakakapunta kahit saan kung saan nangangailangan ng transport vehicle, ngunit pati na iyong modelo na ito madaling i-maintain, laging may piyesa,” the Chief Executive said.
According to Robles, a total of 680 PTVs were already distributed nationwide from June 2022 to June 2025 under the Marcos administration—with more units to be turned over to requesting LGUs starting next year.
“Itong taon na ito, garantisado po na mabibigyan natin ang lahat ng munisipyo anumang class—1 to 6, hindi magma-matter ‘yan; kakampi, hindi masyadong kakampi, kung ano mang kulay, hindi ho kami nagtatangi. ‘Yan po ang bilin ng Pangulo: Huwag hong politikahin ang healthcare,” he stressed.
Gov’t to continue improving healthcare system
The President likewise assured the public that the government is relentlessly working to improve access to affordable hospital care in the country and help lessen the out-of-pocket payments of patients.
“Binababaan natin ang payment, ang bayad, kasi kahit papaano ‘yong pasyente pagka magpapatingin o magpapagaling ay mayroon pa ring kontribusyon. At dahan-dahan naming babawasan ‘yang kontribusyon ng pasyente,” Marcos said, sharing his aspiration for the government to eventually provide fully subsidized healthcare services to Filipinos.
“Kaya ipagpapatuloy namin ang pagpapatibay hindi lamang sa paramihan nitong transport vehicle, kung hindi pati na ang buong health system natin, buong healthcare system natin,” he added.
The President also cited the establishment of specialty centers in various Department of Health (DOH)-accredited hospitals as well as the opening of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) centers across the country for non-emergency cases that don’t require confinement. (with report from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
