Manila: Cordillera governors expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for their new patient transport vehicles (PTVs) that will boost healthcare access in remote villages. 'This patient transport vehicle is not just an additional asset but represents hope and improved access to healthcare for our residents especially those in the far-flung barangays,' Kalinga Governor James Edduba said in a social media post over the weekend. Edduba reaffirmed the province's commitment to upgrading local healthcare and pursuing partnerships that benefit residents.
According to Philippines News Agency, this additional patient transport vehicle will greatly enhance the referral and transport of patients, allowing us to respond more effectively to medical emergencies and improve the delivery of quality healthcare services,' Edduba said. In another message, Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan said the PTV 'is useful . because we have many residents who need mobility to transport patients.' Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas said the vehicle is vital, as many municipal patients regularly request transport to the Benguet General Hospitals and other medical facilities in Baguio City. 'We are very thankful,' he said in Ilocano.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office distributed 34 PTVs on July 24, coinciding with President Marcos' visit to Pampanga. Overall, it has distributed 1,830 PTVs nationwide since last year. Twenty-one provinces in Northern and Central Luzon received units through the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program, completing PTV coverage in all 82 provinces nationwide. La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales received two units each. Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province received one each.
