PCSO turns over 18 patient transport vehicles to 10 Visayas provinces

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) turned over 18 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to 10 provinces in the Visayas in a bid to improve access to healthcare, particularly for residents in remote and underserved communities.

In a statement Thursday, PCSO said the vehicles were distributed under its Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP) during a turnover ceremony in Cebu City.

The beneficiaries are the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

According to the agency, the vehicles will help local government units transport patients to hospitals and other healthcare facilities more safely and efficiently, especially in areas where access to medical services remains limited.

With the latest turnover, PCSO said it has distributed a total of 1,731 patient transport vehicles to provinces, cities, municipalities, and government hospitals across the country.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades ‘Mel’ Robles led the ceremonial turnover together with beneficiary governors and local officials.

“The Patient Transport Vehicles that we are turning over will help bring healthcare services closer to those who need them most, especially those living in remote and underserved communities,” Robles said.

He added that the impact of the agency’s assistance is felt when patients reach hospitals on time and communities receive better public services.

Apart from the vehicle turnover, PCSO also facilitated the ceremonial release of local government units’ shares from lotto revenues covering the period from July to December 2025.

Among the recipients were the Province of Cebu, which received P694,180.45; Eastern Samar, P276,825.94; Leyte, P1,095,531.25; Northern Samar, P986,794.95; Negros Oriental, P253,414.53; Siquijor, P53,737.56; and the Cebu City government, P2,169,768.96.

PCSO said the allocations form part of the agency’s mandated distribution of lotto revenues to local government units, which may use the funds to support local programs and services.

The Cebu turnover came a day after PCSO distributed nine patient transport vehicles to five provinces in Western Visayas during a ceremony in Iloilo City. The agency said the combined turnover forms part of its continuing efforts to strengthen healthcare access through partnerships with local government units. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA News