San fernando: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday turned over around 34 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units (LGUs) in Northern and Central Luzon, and in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The latest batch of PTVs, distributed during a ceremonial turnover at the Pampanga capitol in the City of San Fernando, marked the completion of the provincial rollout.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) turned over a total of 164 medical vans to all 82 provinces. Overall, a total of 1,830 PTVs were distributed nationwide, including to all cities and municipalities last year. The medical vehicles are equipped with a GPS navigation system, ambulance stretcher, medical oxygen, wheelchair, and a complete first aid kit, ensuring safe and efficient patient transport during emergencies.

Marcos also began the distribution of firetrucks under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). "Ito naman ay programa ng DILG kasi alam naman natin, kung minsan ang ilang mga bayan ay hindi sila nagkakaroon ng mga sapat na gamit. 'Yung iba wala, 'yung iba masyadong luma na (This is a program of the DILG because, as we know, there are times when some municipalities do not have enough equipment. Some do not have any at all, while others have equipment that are already too old)," he said.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles said the completion of the nationwide provincial rollout fulfilled Marcos' directive to make emergency medical assistance more accessible to all Filipinos, especially in remote areas. "This mission is guided by the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that no Filipinos, no matter how far or how humble their circumstances, should ever be left without access to emergency medical care," Robles said. Other PCSO health initiatives are medical assistance for individuals, and funding support for public health institutions and facilities nationwide.