By Nimfa Estrellado President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Quezon Governor Angelina "Doktora Helen" Tan along with government offic...
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| President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Quezon Governor Angelina "Doktora Helen" Tan along with government officials during the turnover ceremony of the new ambulance took place at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on September 10, 2024. (Photo from Quezon PIO) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - To enhance healthcare access nationwide, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover of 129 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to local government units (LGUs). The ceremony took place at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on September 10, 2024.
Spearheaded by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), this initiative aims to enhance medical response capabilities, particularly in identified vulnerable and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
The Medical Transport Vehicle (MTV) Donation Program aims to deliver PTVs, Type II Advanced Life Support Ambulances and Sea Ambulances which are crucial for the swift transportation of patients to hospitals, especially in underserved regions.
Since President Marcos Jr.’s incumbency, over 200 LGUs have benefited from similar programs with plans to procure more vehicles to ensure each municipality has adequate resources.
"These vehicles are vital resources to support our medical frontliners, especially our first responders and healthcare workers in LGUs," President Marcos stated. "They will enable timely medical intervention by transporting patients to hospitals, often making the difference between life and death."
The ambulances, or patient transport vehicles (PTVs), were distributed under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's (PCSO) Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP). The program aims to enhance the healthcare delivery system in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
The distribution included 87 ambulances for LGUs in CALABARZON, 25 for the Bicol Region, 8 for Central Luzon, 6 for the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and 3 for Cagayan Valley. Each ambulance, valued at approximately P2.1 million, is equipped with essential medical equipment such as a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor, and wheelchair.
Quezon province, being the largest province in CALABARZON, was a major recipient in this distribution. Governor Doktora Helen Tan of Quezon province, along with several town leaders, personally attended the program. Quezon province's vast land area and dispersed population pose challenges in providing timely medical care, especially in remote areas.
The new ambulances will significantly improve the province's emergency response capabilities according to Governor Tan who expressed her gratitude to President Marcos and the PCSO for providing ambulances to the province. She hopes that these ambulances will expedite medical response and save lives, especially in distant towns.
President Marcos emphasized that the ambulances would ensure the swift and safe transport of patients to healthcare facilities during emergencies. He highlighted that this initiative is part of his administration's broader plan to consistently provide free medical services and specialized equipment.
"While we still face challenges in our healthcare system, this program helps us elevate the quality of healthcare in the country," President Marcos said. "No matter how many hospitals, health centers, medical professionals, or equipment we have, it would be meaningless if patients can't reach them in times of need."
The President assured LGUs that healthcare remains a priority for his administration. He stressed that national progress is closely linked to the health of the Filipino population, aligning with the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance.
The distribution of ambulances also aims to bolster the emergency services of government-run hospitals, which play a crucial role in ensuring the timely and safe transportation of patients.
The Marcos administration has distributed a total of 356 ambulances under the donation program so far. The President has approved a budget of P2.2 billion for the distribution of 1,000 ambulances nationwide, with the procurement process currently underway.
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