President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday led the turnover of 124 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units (LGUs) across Eastern Visayas, including LGUs that received such ambulances for the first time.

During the turnover ceremony held at the City Plaza in Ormoc City, President Marcos underscored his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and emergency response systems in the regions and bringing them back close to the grassroots level.

“We came here because this is part of the continuing strengthening of our healthcare system,” President Marcos said in his remarks.

“This is our continuing effort to strengthen our healthcare system and to bring healthcare… down to the smallest members of our society. Palapitin lang natin ang healthcare sa taong-bayan,” the President added.

President Marcos mentioned several LGUs that received an ambulance for the first time.

These are Abuyog, Jaro, Kananga, Matalom, and Santa Fe, all in Leyte province; Tagapul-an in Samar; General MacArthur, Salcedo, and San Policarpio in Eastern Samar; and Lapinig, San Vicente, and Silvino Lobos in Northern Samar.

“Nagulat ako, binigyan ako ng listahan na mayroon pa pala tayong mga first-timer dito na first time na magkaroon ng ambulansya sa bayan ninyo,” said the President.

The 124 PTV units were distributed under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP), which President Marcos reaffirmed will cover all 1,642 LGUs nationwide by the end of 2025.

Since 2022, the program has turned over more than 1,200 ambulances nationwide.

Each ambulance vehicle has a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor, first aid kit, and other essential medical tools.

The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to complete the program within the year, establishing a nationwide network of medical transport that supports both Universal Health Care and disaster response efforts.

The distribution ceremony in Ormoc City was also attended by PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles, who joined the President in handing over the symbolic keys to provincial and municipal officials. | PND