President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. visited Ormoc City and Tacloban City in the Province of Leyte on Monday, August 18, 2025, to inspect various projects.

The President first checked on the P100-million RM Tan Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Ormoc City. He was accompanied by National Irrigation Administrator, Engr. Eddie Guillen.

The SPIP is seen to irrigate about 100 hectares of farmland to prepare for cropping season.

Around 92 farmers and their families are seen to benefit from the project.

The said project does away with diesel-powered motor pumps in preparing the irrigation system, as it is equipped with an AI system that monitors irrigation equipment and solar-powered pumps, and has the capacity to provide advanced weather forecasting in modern agriculture.

“I just wanted to see how it works, maganda naman, best of high technology, may satellite imaging, merong AI [artificial intelligence] ginagamit, napakaganda sa ani," the President said.

In addition, at least 124 PCSO patient transport vehicles, or ambulances were turned over in a ceremony in Ormoc City. PCSO stands for Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

"Sabi sa akin na by the end of the year sisimulan na ang second round. Pag natapos na namin, pag 100 percent na itong Visayas at tsaka Luzon, babalikan din namin, yung maliit okay lang isa, yung malalaki, kulang, so bigyan na naman natin ng isa pa,” he added.

Among local government units (LGUs) that received the ambulance is Silago town in the Province of Southern Leyte, deemed gateway to Mindanao and Luzon from the Visayas.

The patient transport vehicle, or PTV, will be stationed in an upland barangay.

“Silago is the largest in terms of land area, kami ang boundary sa (provinces) Leyte at Southern Leyte, kami ang dinaanan ng papunta ng Manila at papunta ng Mindanao. So sa highway naman mataas yung highway namin, it is a big help sa amin kasi our ambulances o PTV one of the busiest siguro sa Southern Leyte, kasi mataas yung highway namin. Basi sa statistics 50 to 60 lang ang gamit sa mga locals and the rest from other people na bumibyahe,” Silago Mayor Lemuel Honor said.

The President visited next the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City to check on the implementation of the zero-balance billing in a Department of Health (DOH)-run hospital.

“Te-testingin natin ang sistema ng zero-balance billing, dahil meron kaming naririnig na mahaba ang pila, mahirap, so titingnan natin paano natin aayusin para ang pasyente papasok, magpapatingin, bibigyan ng reseta, kung anong kailangan para gamutin, pagkatapos ng konsultasyon pupunta sya sa pharmacy, may credit yun libre, ina-accredit namin ang mga botika para kahit saan pwede sila pumunta at sabihing meron kaming resetang ganito, ibibigay natin nang libre, paglabas ng hospital wala na silang babayaran,” the President added.