Pelaez Sports Center, Cagayan de Oro City
April 22, 2025
Reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to ensure that every local government unit (LGU) has access to lifesaving medical transport, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally turned over 91 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to Northern Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during a ceremony at the Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
Speaking before local and national government officials, the President emphasized the importance of specialized emergency vehicles designed to navigate narrow roads and remote areas, ensuring that underserved communities receive timely medical assistance.
Recalling his past experience during his gubernatorial tenure in Ilocos Norte, the President highlighted the importance of ‘appropriate technology’ in addressing transportation challenges. “Alam po ninyo, sinadya ang disenyo ng mga sasakyang ito upang makarating kahit sa makikitid na daan at malalayong lugar…Madaling ayusin ito. Kahit saang mekaniko, kahit sa casa man o hindi at madaling makakuha ng piyesa,” he said.
As part of the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), these PTVs are specially designed for challenging terrains, enabling safe and efficient transfer of patients to hospitals and health facilities.
Since June 2022, the Administration has distributed a total of 570 PTVs nationwide, excluding the National Capital Region (NCR). Last year alone, 291 units were distributed, fulfilling the promise to equip every province with PTVs. Today’s distribution adds 91 units — 85 for Northern Mindanao and six (6) for BARMM. Among these beneficiaries, 68 LGUs received their first-ever ambulance from PCSO. “Layunin ng PCSO na makapamahagi ng 985 PTVs upang matiyak na lahat ng munisipalidad sa bansa ay may sasakyang magagamit para sa pasyente,” he stated.
The President also announced that by the end of this year, the Administration aims to distribute a total of 1,552 PTVs across all municipalities, achieving 100% coverage for LGUs for the first time in Philippine history. This milestone reflects the Administration’s dedication to inclusive health services.
He urged local officials to take good care of the vehicles, assuring them that the PTVs are durable and easy to maintain. “Iyong mga nai-release na natin, ‘yung mga nauna, maganda pa rin ang takbo basta’t alagaan natin. Matitibay ito. Talagang ni-research namin nang mabuti kung alin ‘yung pinakamaganda at matitibay naman ito. Kagaya ng sabi ko kahit na halos lahat ng mekaniko kaya nilang ayusin ‘pag may nasiraan at madaling makahanap ng piyesa,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, President Marcos Jr. assured the public of the Administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritize their needs, stating, “hindi kami titigil sa pag-iisip ng ibang hakbangin upang magbigay ng serbisyong kinakailangan ninyo. Kaya sa mga doktor, nurse, driver, rescuer, tanod, volunteer: Ito po ay para rin sa inyo. Kayo ang mga Bagong Pilipino na may disiplina, may kahusayan, at pagmamahal sa bayan.”
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