The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has distributed 82 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) under its Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program, reaching a remarkable 98.66 percent project completion or 1,620 out of the country’s 1,642 cities and municipalities nationwide

In a statement on Thursday, the PCSO said the 82 new PTVs were handed over to local government units in Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region in a turnover ceremony on Tuesday (Nov. 25) at the New Government Center in Bacolod City.

The event was led by PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles, along with Chairman Felix Reyes and Director Jennifer Guevara, who presented the symbolic keys to the local chief executives that included Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya.

The delivery aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s instructions to prioritize the health and well-being of every Filipino, especially those living in far-flung areas.

Of the 82 vehicles distributed, 37 were allocated to the Negros Island Region, including 11 for local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, 22 in Negros Oriental, and four in Siquijor.

Additionally, 45 PTVs were allocated to various locations in Western Visayas: one for Guimaras, seven for Aklan, eight for Antique, nine for Capiz and 20 for Iloilo.

“These 82 PTVs represent more than just vehicles, they are lifelines for communities throughout Western Visayas and the Negros Island,” Robles said.

Each PTV is equipped with a stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, first aid kit, blood pressure monitor, and medicine cabinet. The ambulances were equipped for emergencies, and would ensure that patients can reach hospitals safely and swiftly.

Robles underscored the program’s progress as a reflection of the President’s directive to “work faster, reach farther, and serve better.”

“The milestone achieved echoes the President’s assertion in Butuan City that if we do not have a healthy population, we cannot have a happy nation. We must bring healthcare directly to the people, ” he said.

The newly delivered PTVs are set to significantly enhance inter-island healthcare mobility, allowing for quicker and safer patient transfers between provinces.

This increased capacity is crucial for remote communities that depend on distant hospitals for specialized care, ensuring that no patient is overlooked due to geographical constraints.

“Thanks to PCSO, local governments can now transport the sick and vulnerable to safety,” said Mayor Gasataya. “These vehicles will be crucial for disaster response and community support, especially during recent typhoons that hit Negros Occidental and surrounding areas.”

For the year 2025, PCSO has allocated P1 billion for the procurement of an additional 395 vehicles, with plans to further extend health services across the Philippines.

This initiative aims to ensure that every region has access to the critical resources needed to address healthcare challenges, especially in the underserved. (PNA)