By: Rovinel Caballero, Regional Correspondent

MANILA – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has completed the nationwide distribution of patient transport vehicles (PTVs) after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover of the final 34 units to local government units (LGUs) in Northern and Central Luzon.

The ceremonial turnover, held in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, covered beneficiary provinces in Regions I, II, III and the Cordillera Administrative Region, completing the distribution of 1,830 patient transport vehicles to cities, municipalities and provincial governments across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

President Marcos described the completion of the program as a significant step in improving access to healthcare, particularly for patients in remote communities who often struggle to reach medical facilities during emergencies.

“At sa wakas, naipagpatuloy natin ang pagbibigay ng patient transport vehicles sa lahat ng LGUs. Ngayon, maayos nang maisasakay ang mga pasyente sa patient transport vehicle para madala sila sa pagamutan,” President Marcos said during the rollout.

Under the PCSO Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program, each vehicle is equipped with basic life-support equipment, including stretchers, medical kits and oxygen cylinders to support the safe transport of patients to healthcare facilities.

Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando welcomed the initiative and thanked President Marcos and PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles for prioritizing the healthcare needs of local communities.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating Mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. Malaking bagay sa atin ito. Maraming pasyente ang nangangailangan nito,” Fernando said.

Fernando said the newly delivered transport vehicles would be deployed to municipal health centers and local disaster response teams across Bulacan to improve emergency response and facilitate the transfer of indigent patients requiring immediate hospital care.

Following the completion of the nationwide rollout, President Marcos said the government would shift its focus to providing dedicated fire trucks to every local government unit to further strengthen community safety capabilities. (With reports from PIA)