President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. turns over the symbolic keys of the patient transport vehicles to the local chief executives and key officials of the provincial governments that are beneficiaries of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), such as Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. (PIA photo)
ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said today, September 19, that a budget of P2 billion has been approved for the acquisition of 1,000 more Patient Transport Vehicles (PTV) for cities and municipalities throughout the country to ensure their capability for ‘timely and safe transportation of patients.’
The president announced this during the turnover of 51 PTVs to various local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas in Passi City today, Sept. 19, as the government upscales preparedness and response to calamities and disasters.
“These state-of-the-art and reliable PTVs will provide timely and safe transportation of patients to and from medical facilities,” he added.
Each PTV is equipped with a stretcher, oxygen, and blood pressure monitor, among other medical equipment.
“We are making sure that no Filipino is left stranded without help,” the President noted.
He also underscored the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program, which has already distributed a total of 467 PTVs to LGUs nationwide to date under the Marcos administration.
The PCSO initiative aims to provide accessible and safe transportation of patients to hospitals, particularly those in conflict-stricken areas, vulnerable communities, and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
The president was joined by PCSO chair, retired Judge Felix Reyes, and PCSO general manager Melquiades Robles in the ceremonial turnover of PTV keys to the LGUs.
Following the distribution of the PTVs, the president also led the distribution of e-titles and certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of Panay Island during his visit to Passi City. (AAL/PIA Capiz)
