By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Consistent with the government’s progressive push towards improving the country’s healthcare systems, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) continues to facilitate the distribution of patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units (LGUs) across the archipelago.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover ceremony of 71 PTVs to provinces in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), Region 11 (Davao Region), and Region 13 (Caraga) on Friday, citing that some LGUs were also first-time recipients of these emergency vehicles.
In his remarks, Marcos cited the importance of these PTVs in providing communities with equitable access to health services and ensuring swift response in case of emergencies, touting these PTVs as adequately-equipped automobiles built to endure wear and tear, as well as traveling on unpaved roads in far-flung areas.
“We have also made sure that each of the vehicles have already within them the basic necessities, the basic equipment. Mayroon tayong stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, first aid kit, blood pressure monitor, may mga gamot, iba pang kagamitan na kailangan pagka emergency.”
Of the 71 PTVs released to their respective LGUs, 12 are headed for Agusan del Norte (including Butuan City), 20 for Surigao del Norte, 19 for Surigao del Sur, eight for Davao de Oro, seven for Dinagat Islands, four for Davao Oriental, and one unit is also bound for Misamis Occidental.
These areas in the south of the Philippines were cited by Marcos as in dire need of these equipment that will help to improve health services in such locales, which he cites as being left behind and neglected by previous administrations.
This latest batch of PTVs pegs the percentage of LGUs having their own emergency vehicles at 76%, with PCSO General Manager Mel Robles vowing to ensure that all locales in the country have their own ambulances by the end of 2025.
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