Marcos distributes 51 'patient transport vehicles' in Western Visayas

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the turnover ceremony of the 51 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to local government unit beneficiaries in Region VI and the Negros Island Region.

Each vehicle is equipped with a stretcher, oxygen [tank], and blood pressure monitor, among other medical equipment.

“It’s built upon our thrust to improve people’s access to health care, especially in vulnerable communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” Marcos said during his speech at the Plaza Paloma, Passi City in Iloilo. 

“We are making sure that no Filipino is left stranded without help,” he added.

Marcos also mentioned that the Office of the President has approved a budget of P2 billion this year for the acquisition of 1,000 more PTVs to cover all cities and municipalities in the country.

Meanwhile, at least 416 PTVs have been distributed to LGU beneficiaries from all regions except NCR under the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) since July 2022.

The MTVDP, launched in 2019, aims to improve healthcare delivery in underserved areas by donating medical transport vehicles to LGUs at the provincial, city, and municipal levels, with priority given to vulnerable communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).

It also covers government hospitals to ensure the timely and safe transportation of patients to and from medical facilities.

“We hope one day that every town and city… Let me change that: We do not hope one day. We promise one day, every town and city will be equipped with fully operational PTVs and medical responders on standby,” Marcos added.

The President also assured agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Panay Island that the administration would not abandon them in their quest to own the land they have been tilling for years.

On the same day, Marcos distributed 1,725 electronic titles and 207 CLOAs to 1,932 ARBs in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras.

He said that the distribution of the e-titles and CLOAs is a dream come true not only for the ARBs but also for the government in fulfilling its promise to Filipino farmers. —Sherylin Untalan/VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News