Manila: Laguna Governor Sol Aragones has announced the rollout of nine dedicated ambulances, six new community pharmacies, and additional free maintenance medicines as part of efforts to further strengthen the province's healthcare network.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative, dubbed 'Ambulance on the Go,' will introduce a centralized emergency hotline enabling residents to swiftly request ambulance assistance through a faster, more accessible response system. Governor Aragones shared her excitement, describing the program as a "dream come true for the province" during her State of the Province Address at the Laguna Sports Complex in Santa Cruz town. She expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his support of the program.

The program is set to start in October in Laguna's fourth district, which includes Santa Cruz and 15 other eastern municipalities. Meanwhile, the emergency hotline is being established, and medical personnel are undergoing training. Aragones mentioned that additional ambulances would be deployed to the first district as funding permits.

Additionally, the province has completed the Akay ni Gob Botika in all 24 municipalities and six cities, with plans to add another pharmacy in each city to accommodate the growing population. The province's population increased to 3,687,345 in 2024 from 3,382,193 in 2020, according to the latest census figures.

Governor Aragones also announced the expansion of free maintenance medicines for conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar from four to ten types. Renovations and the acquisition of additional hospital equipment are underway for the province's eight district hospitals and one provincial hospital.

As part of Laguna's 2027 development roadmap, Aragones highlighted the services of the Laguna Mega Clinic, an outpatient facility expected to reduce congestion in district hospitals.