The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has donated an additional 16 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units and public institutions to help improve medical transport and emergency response services.
The PTVs were turned over in two ceremonies on October 14 and 15 at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City.
On October 15, PAGCOR distributed eight PTVs to Quezon Province; Cordon, Isabela; the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) National Headquarters; Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay; Toledo City, Cebu; Bakun, Benguet; Bulakan, Bulacan; and Tago, Surigao del Sur.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco (11th from left) and Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Naealla Bainto-Aguinaldo (7th from left) lead the turnover of patient transport vehicles to seven local government units and the Bureau of Fire Protection National Headquarters on October 15 at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the donations would help recipient communities respond more promptly to medical emergencies and other healthcare needs.
“Through these PTVs, we hope to help our partner institutions respond more quickly to the medical needs of the communities they serve,” Mr. Tengco said.
John Francis L. Luzano, head of the Environment and Natural Resources Office of Quezon Province, said the PTV would help address the transportation needs of residents in remote municipalities.
“We are very grateful to PAGCOR for this additional patient transport vehicle. Some municipalities are at least five hours away from the provincial hospital, so this donation will greatly help us provide much-needed transport services to our communities,” Luzano said.
Earlier on October 14, PAGCOR also turned over eight PTVs to beneficiaries identified by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Each PAGCOR-donated patient transport vehicle is equipped with essential medical and safety equipment, including a stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, first aid kit and navigation system, to facilitate safe and efficient patient transport.
The recipients were Guimaras State University; the National Bureau of Investigation; the BFP Caraga Regional Headquarters; the Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Mountain Province; Labuan General Hospital in Zamboanga City; Butuan Medical Center; and the Bureau of Corrections, which received two units.
Dr. Jesse Fernandez, Medical Chief of Labuan General Hospital, said the donated vehicle would help their hospital transport patients during emergencies.
“Our hospital is 25 kilometers from the city center, so this vehicle will be a big help, especially during emergencies. We are very thankful to PAGCOR for this much-needed donation,” he said.
The eight PTVs distributed on October 14 are part of the 70 vehicles funded by PAGCOR under its partnership with PCSO. Under the agreement, PCSO identifies the beneficiaries and oversees the distribution of the vehicles.
Through its PTV Donation Program, PAGCOR continues to support local governments and public institutions in strengthening healthcare transport and emergency response services.