Marcos: All PH cities, towns to get vehicles for medical use

PTV ROLLOUT President Marcos joins the Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office in the distribution of patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to various local governments, in a program help at Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Wednesday. A total of 287 PTVs are turned over to various cities and municipalities in Luzon. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Each of the 1,642 local government units (LGUs) in the country will receive at least one patient transport vehicle (PTV) from the national government this year, President Marcos assured local officials on Wednesday.

“To those who have yet to receive their PTVs, my promise and my instruction is that by the end of 2025, we should say that all cities and municipalities in the country have a PTV,” the President said in his speech during the turnover of more than 300 vehicles for different LGUs in Luzon at Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

“Because in this administration, every Filipino has the right to accessible medical services,” he added.

PTVs are modified Toyota Hiace Commuter Deluxe vans, retailing at P1.857 million each.

RIDE FOR PATIENTS President Marcos, assisted by officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, leads the distribution of patient transport vehicles to representatives of local governments in Luzon during a ceremony at Quirino Grandstand Manila on Wednesday. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

‘Very appropriate’

Each PTV is equipped with essential medical tools, including a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor and other supplies to ensure safe and timely transport of patients.

Different from ambulances, PTVs are designed to transport patients whose conditions are “nonlife-threatening.” These include scheduled medical visits, routine examinations, or hospital discharges. These vehicles are not allowed to use emergency blinkers and sirens.

According to Mr. Marcos, a total of 387 PTVs were turned over to LGUs in seven Luzon regions: 30 for the Ilocos; 72 for Cagayan Valley; 100 for Central Luzon; 27 for Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon); 59 for Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan); 64 for Bicol; and 35 for the Cordillera.

The President said 123 PTVs would also be provided to LGUs in Eastern Visayas region, and 105 for Mindanao.

He said the model type of the PTVs is “very appropriate” for the country, as it can operate in any location, including narrow urban streets. Repairs and maintenance of the PTVs will also not be an issue for LGUs as their parts are readily available in the country.

Undersecretary Claire Castro, the Palace press officer, earlier said the distribution of PTVs was a fulfillment of the President’s promise to provide each of the country’s 149 cities and 1,493 municipalities with reliable and fully equipped medical transport.

A total of 680 PTVs, excluding the fleet turned over on Wednesday, had been distributed since July 2022. Of these, 567 had been handed out to different LGUs this year.

The distribution of PTVs is part of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program which aims to provide LGUs and hospitals, particularly those in poor communities, with much-needed medical transport vehicles.

Mr. Marcos earlier approved a P2.2-billion budget for the distribution of 1,000 PTVs.