The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today turned over nine Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to various local government units (LGUs) to boost healthcare delivery in remote and disaster-affected areas.
The beneficiaries include the municipalities of Mataas na Kahoy (Batangas), Paniqui (Tarlac), Bolinao (Pangasinan), Norzagaray (Bulacan), and Bangui, Carasi, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, and Adams (all in Ilocos Norte).
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the initiative underscores the agency’s commitment to bring critical services closer to Filipinos in need as ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Through these vehicles, we help ensure that people living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas can receive timely medical care,” Mr. Tengco said.
The donation comes in the wake of Super Typhoon Nando, which heavily battered Ilocos Norte, leaving widespread flooding, prolonged power outages, and displaced families.
Local officials said the new PTVs would be instrumental not only in disaster response but also in addressing day-to-day medical emergencies.
“Every time may nangangailangan ng transportation sa mga pasyente, dinadala natin sila sa Laoag Hospital, sa Provincial Hospital, o sa Batac Hospital na umaabot ng 80 to 100KM ang layo.
“Kaya naman itong ibinigay ng PAGCOR ay napakalaking tulong at napakalaking ginhawa para sa ating mga constituents,” Pagudpud Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito II said.
Each PTV unit is fitted with a GPS navigation system, stretcher, medical oxygen, wheelchair, and first aid kit to ensure safe and efficient patient transfer.
Since February, PAGCOR has already distributed 60 PTVs to LGUs, public hospitals, frontline agencies, and military units nationwide.