The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Thursday, June 26, turned over ten Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) worth PHP20 million to several local government units and a state university to enhance their emergency medical services.
During the turnover ceremony at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City, six PTVs were awarded to the municipalities of Palanan, Quezon, San Isidro, Cabagan, San Mariano, and San Pablo, all in Isabela province.
The City of Parañaque, the municipalities of Tanauan in Batangas and Balabac in Palawan as well as the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte also received one PTV unit each.
Each vehicle is fitted with a GPS navigation system and essential medical equipment such as an ambulance stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, and first aid kit.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the PTV distribution is part of the agency’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and to enhance access to medical services especially in geographically isolated communities.
“We want to ensure that even remote areas have the means to respond to medical emergencies. This is part of PAGCOR’s commitment to reach communities that need government support the most,” Mr. Tengco said.
“‘Yan po ang hangad ng PAGCOR; salamat sa pagkakataong makatulong at makapaglingkod sa inyo,” Mr. Tengco told the PTV recipients during the turnover event.
Mayor Christopher A. Mamauag of Cabagan, Isabela – a town where travel to tertiary hospitals takes several hours – expressed gratitude for the assistance and said the vehicle will significantly boost the town’s emergency response capabilities.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat kay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at sa PAGCOR, sa pamumuno ni Chairman Alejandro Tengco, sa pagpapaunlak sa aming kahilingan na magkaroon ng Patient Transport Vehicle para sa aming mga kababayan sa bayan ng Cabagan.
“Malaking tulong po ito at gagamitin namin ito ng wasto,” he said.
This initiative follows a series of donations that PAGCOR has been making across the country. Just last week, PAGCOR donated Php6.75 million to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) for the purchase of five state-of-the-art neonatal incubators, further strengthening its neonatal care services.
