The river ambulance is being turned over by the Department of Health Eastern Visayas to Maslog, a remote town in Eastern Samar. (Photo courtesy of DOH Eastern Visayas)
BORONGAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health-Eastern Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-EVCHD), headed by Regional Director Exuperia B. Sabalberino, led the historic turnover of the first-ever river ambulance in Eastern Visayas to the municipality of Maslog, Eastern Samar, on January 8, 2025.
The river ambulance is designed to serve as a vital transportation for swift hospital referrals and immediate medical services for the residents of Maslog.
Racky P. Pajanustan, a farmer in Brgy. Tugas, Maslog, thanked, particularly the DOH Eastern Visayas for the river ambulance.
“Malipayon tungod kay gintagan an bungto han Maslog hin sugad hini nga proyekto nga makakahatag hin dako nga bulig para han katawhan han bungto labi na han mga nangangailangan hin kadagmitan nga medical services,” Pajanustan said.
(I am very happy because the town of Maslog has been granted this kind of project that will provide great help to the people of the town, especially those who urgently need medical services.)
Pajanustan also thanked the local government unit for their tireless service and support for the people of Maslog.
“Ngan subra liwat an akon pasasalamat han amon mayor, vice mayor, ngan ha ngatanan nga mga kasugbong ha pamumuno ha bungto han Maslog tungod han ira wara pagkabutlaw nga serbisyo, pag-igol, pag-ugop, ngan paghigugma ha mga tawo han bungto,” Pajanustan added.
(I am also deeply grateful to our mayor, vice mayor, and all the leaders and partners of Maslog for their tireless service, efforts, support, and love for the people of the town.)
Vice Mayor Septimio Santiago thanked the DOH on behalf of all Masloganons.
“An bungto han Maslog in nagpapasalamat hini nga higayon, hini nga serbisyo nga hinatag ha aton labi na ha aton director ha departamento han panlawas han bug-os nga Rehiyon Otso,” Santiago said.
(The municipality of Maslog is grateful for this opportunity and for the service provided to us, especially to our director of the Department of Health in Region 8.)
The river ambulance will address the long-standing challenge of a 4-hour journey to Dolores and an additional one to two hours to the nearest referral centers.
It will also function as a rescue vehicle as the town of Maslog is prone to flooding during heavy rains.
The turnover ceremony featured the official signing of the Deed of Donation (DOD) by Regional Director Sabalberino, Maslog Municipal Vice Mayor Septemio C. Santiago, and Municipal Health Officer Mennie P. Cabacang.
Assistive devices including wheelchairs, canes, crutches, along with senior citizen kits expected to enhance the quality of life for residents, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Maslog, were also turned over to the municipality. (VTG/PIA Eastern Samar with reports from DOH EVCHD)
Vice Mayor Septimio Santiago and Dr. Mennie Cabacang, along with the personnel from the Rural Health Unit, also receives the assistive devices from the DOH Eastern Visayas through Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino. (Photo courtesy of DOH EVCHD)
