In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to equip all cities and municipalities with ambulances, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has earmarked P1 billion this year to procure 395 additional Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs).
In an interview with the Presidential News Desk, PCSO General Manager Mel Robles confirmed the upcoming rollout of the PTVs, which will complete the agency’s nationwide distribution under the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP).
The President earlier emphasized that each of the country’s 149 cities and 1,493 municipalities should have at least one PTV to ensure timely and efficient emergency transport services of people in need of medical attention.
On Friday, President Marcos led the distribution of 106 units of PTVs to LGUs in Zamboanga Peninsula, Isabela City, and Lanao del Sur during a ceremonial turnover ceremony in Dipolog City’s Sunset Boulevard.
“Maraming maraming salamat po Mr. President at natutuwa po kaming lahat. Nakikiisa ang buong bayan sa proyektong ito,” Robles said in his remarks during the turnover.
Robles said the PCSO delivers the PTVs to recipient cities and municipalities at no cost to the local government, in line with the directive of President Marcos.
“Kayo po ang mga partners namin sa paghatid sa mga kababayan natin na may karamdaman papunta sa nearest hospital. Kung naalala niyo po kailangan pa pumunta sa Manila. Ngayon po kami na po ang tumatawag sa inyo, kami na po ang humahanap sa inyo. ‘Yan po ang Bagong Pilipinas,” Robles said.
“Dahil ang paglilingkod po ay di po naghihintay. Ang paglilingkod po ay pumupunta sa mga nangangailangan,” Robles said. ǀ PND
