Marcos admin to provide more PTVs to cities, municipalities

The government will provide more patient transport vehicles to cities and municipalities by the end of the year, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Monday. 

Marcos made the commitment as he led the distribution of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) patient transport vehicles for Eastern Visayas in Ormoc City, Leyte.

Marcos said the second round of distribution is being eyed by the end of 2025. 

''Out of the 1,642 cities and towns, we have been able to give away 1,173 na PTV so malapit na... pinapangako sa akin ni Mel, ang ating GM, that by the end of the year, we will start already the second round,'' Marcos said. 

(Out of the 1,642 cities and towns, we have been able to give away 1,173 PTVs so it's already near... [GM] Mel [Robles] promised me that by the end of the year, we will start already the second round.) 

''Kasi pag natapos na namin, mag-100% na lahat itong 1,642 na bayan at saka lungsod, babalikan din namin,'' Marcos added. 

(Once we're finished, if this becomes 100%, we will go back here.) 

A total of 124 ambulances were distributed across various municipalities and cities in Region VIII, particularly in Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte.

Each patient transport vehicle is equipped with essential medical tools, including a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor, and other supplies for patients. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News