Samar island: Local chief executives in the provinces of Samar Island have expressed their gratitude to the national government for the provision of new ambulances through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The newly distributed ambulances are expected to significantly enhance the medical transport capabilities of these communities.

According to Philippines News Agency, one of the recipients of the new ambulances is the town of Mapanas, a Pacific coastal town located more than two hours away from the provincial capital, Catarman. Mapanas Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano highlighted the importance of the ambulances, particularly for transporting multiple patients simultaneously, as the journey to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban takes nearly seven hours.

Mapanas is among 22 areas in Northern Samar that received new ambulances during a turnover ceremony in Ormoc City on August 18, which was led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This initiative is part of a broader effort to distribute 124 ambulances, fully equipped with essential medical tools, across the region.

In Jipapad, Eastern Samar, Mayor Benjamin Ver, who also practices medicine, underscored the critical role of ambulances in improving patient referrals to hospitals. He emphasized the urgency of timely medical transport, given the significant distance to the regional medical facilities.

Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, noted that despite already having five ambulances, the town requires additional vehicles to adequately serve the needs of island villages such as Suluan, Homonhon, and Manicani. The new ambulances will help ensure prompt medical care for residents of these remote communities.

Calbayog City, Samar, also welcomed the arrival of an additional ambulance. Mayor Raymund Uy stressed the necessity of expanding healthcare services across the city's 157 villages, most of which are situated far from the city center.

The town of Matuguinao, an interior area in Samar province, is another beneficiary of the PCSO's initiative. President Marcos has directed the PCSO to equip all 149 cities and 1,493 towns nationwide with at least one ambulance, ensuring efficient and timely medical transport for all communities.