Some PHP362 million worth of ambulances have been distributed to health facilities and local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas in the last three years, improving medical transportation in the region, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.

Some 146 land and sea ambulances have been provided in the region from 2022 to 2024 as part of the DOH’s goal to distribute emergency transport vehicles to all hospitals and LGUs.

“There has been an increase in the number of ambulances under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. We really need this because our terrain here in the region is different,” DOH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino said.

Of the 146 ambulances, 64 units worth PHP150 million were provided in 2022; 70 units worth PHP175 million were turned over in 2023; and 12 units worth PHP37 million are intended for distribution this year.

The emergency transport vehicles also include eight sea ambulances and a river ambulance for coastal communities in the region.

Sea ambulances have been turned over in the towns of Capul, Biri, San Antonio, and San Vicente in Northern Samar; Guiuan in Eastern Samar; Tagapul-an and Tarangnan in Samar; and Bato in Leyte province.

“Though these sea ambulances, our island communities can use them to transport individuals in need of immediate care to the appropriate health facilities. Just like our land ambulances, these are also fully-equipped life-saving equipment,” Sabalberino said.

To date, over 90 percent of LGUs have received ambulances from the central government.

The turnover is part of the DOH health facility enhancement program’s mandate to support local universal health care through the provision of medical transport and equipment to LGUs. (PNA)