By Martin Sadongdong
To improve their medical response capabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Army (PA) received two units of ambulances from a corporate group and a non-government organization (NGO) at the celebration of its 123rd founding anniversary held in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday.
(PH ARMY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Army Spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala said the ambulances will be used by the Army General Hospital as they seek to enhance their mobility as a support unit in the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
The ambulances were officially received by Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay from the Lucio Tan Group of Companies (LT Group, Inc.), a publicly-listed holding company of Chinese-Filipino business tycoon Lucio Tan; and Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc., an NGO based in Baguio City, Benguet.
Gapay and representatives from the donors had signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and deeds of donation last March 3 for the two ambulances, Zagala said.
The Army chief expressed his gratitude to LT Group, Inc. and Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. for their commitment to help the Army as he noted the donations will "strengthen our capabilities in supporting the national government's efforts to fight the COVID-19 in the country."
"I urge everyone to continue embodying this commitment in the midst of this emergency," Gapay said.
He added that the Army is "dedicated to serve and secure every Filipino family" even as they currently face the invisible enemy that is COVID-19.
President Duterte earlier tapped the military to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) enforce the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon to prevent the spread of the deadly respiratory disease to other parts of the country.