Noting that the government has already managed to distribute vehicles to more than 1,000 towns in the country.
On Friday, August 1, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the distribution of 106 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX).
During which, he noted that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has already managed to distribute 1,067 PTVs since the start of the administration in June 2022.
And now, he has ordered the agency to prioritize giving PTVs to lower-income municipalities that lack medical transport, especially for constituents in far-flung areas, and provide all local government units (LGUs) with at least one PTV each before the end of 2025.
“Hindi namin muna pinarioritize (prioritize) ‘yung malalaking lungsod, the big cities, because usually mayroon na silang mga facilities. Hindi urgent. Iyong mga maliliit ang inuna namin. Inumpisahan natin fourth, fifth, sixth class na municipality. Then slowly we’ll work our way back,” said the President.
He continued, “And then, patuloy pa rin ang bigay namin kasi ‘yung ibang bayan malaki naman talaga, kailangan dalawa. So, titingnan na natin, ia-adjust na natin.”
According to the PCSO, the PTVs are suited for narrow streets and unpaved roads, especially in remote areas and its maintenance is also easier due to the availability of spare parts.
Each vehicle is equipped with a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor, and other basic medical tools to ensure safe and timely patient transport.
In line with his directive, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said that it has already earmarked P1 billion this year to procure 395 additional PTVs.
PCSO General Manager Mel Robles also said that they will deliver these vehicles to recipient cities and municipalities at no cost to the local government.
“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,” said the GM.