By Brian Campued
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to deliver patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to all cities and municipalities across the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the distribution of 106 PTVs from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to all local government units (LGUs) in Zamboanga Peninsula as well as the province of Lanao del Sur.
In a speech during the turnover ceremony in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, Marcos emphasized the importance of PTVs in providing Filipinos with better access to healthcare, especially those in underserved areas.
“Kung maalala ninyo ay noong sa SONA (State of the Nation Address) malaking bahagi ng SONA ay pinag-usapan ko ang healthcare—ang mga benepisyong ibibigay natin para sa ating mga kababayan para naman maging mas magaan ang kanilang buhay at hindi nila inaalala na kung papaano babayaran ang magpapatingin sa doktor, magpapagamot, magpapa-test,” he said.
The PTVs were handed over to LGUs from Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, and Isabela City in Basilan.
Part of PCSO’s Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP), each PTV is equipped with essential medical tools, including a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor, wheelchair, first aid kit, and medicine cabinet to ensure the safe and prompt transport of patients.
Since June 2022, the PCSO has distributed a total of 1,067 medical transport vehicles nationwide.
“Ang ano natin sana itong buo, kabuuan ng ating pagbigay nitong Patient Transport Vehicle ay matapos natin within the year magagawa na natin. And then, patuloy pa rin ang bigay namin kasi ‘yong ibang bayan malaki naman talaga, kailangan dalawa,” the Chief Executive said.
“So, minimum—ang minimum bawat bayan, bawat lungsod ay mayroong ganitong Patient Transport Vehicle,” he added.
Zamboanga public schools now connected to Starlink internet
Prior to the distribution of PTVs in Dipolog City, the President visited Camul Elementary School in Tampilisan town to lead the distribution of a “smart interactive board” and to test the internet connectivity of the Starlink satellite internet service installed in the school through the Free Wi-Fi for All program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd).
Marcos, accompanied by DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara participated in a live video teleconference with students and teachers in other Starlink-connected public schools in Zamboanga del Norte, including Marupay National High School, Nato Integrated School, Seroan Integrated School, and Tinago Elementary School.
“Ako ay natutuwa, I’m very happy na nakabitan na natin [ng satellite internet] ang mga school ninyo, nagkaroon na ng internet at may connection na kayo… kahit na malayo ‘yong iba sa inyo,” he said.
In his speech at Dipolog City, Marcos reiterated his statement from his 4th SONA which is to ensure that all public schools in the country will be connected to the internet by the end of the year.
“At bukod pa doon, magbibigay tayo ng data para libre ang paggamit sa internet para sa ating mga guro, para sa ating mga estudyante,” he added, referring to DICT’s Bayanihan SIM Cards program. (with reports from Janessa Felix and Jaira Mondez / PTV Davao)
-jpv
