Patient transport vehicles (PTVs) must be given to every local government unit (LGU) in need, and politics should not be the basis in doing so.

President Marcos made the remark during the turnover of 90 PTVs to 90 LGUs in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Northern Samar on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

In his speech, Marcos lamented the flawed practice of providing emergency vehicles only to those with connections, stressing that the government is doing away from that practice by giving at least one emergency vehicle to every LGU in the country.

He reminded the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the agency implementing the program, to grant every LGU an emergency vehicle whether or not the community voted for him.

"Hindi ko naman malaman kung bakit napakahirap magkaroon ng ganito at naalalala ko nung gobernor ako, nakukuha mo lang ang ambulansya dati pagka medyo malapit ka kung sino man, o pakiusap, o palakasan, paunahan. E, kako naman hindi naman dapat siguro ganun (I do not know why it is so hard to own PTVs and I remember when I was still a governor, you can only get an ambulance if you're close to someone else, or you ask for a favor, or you have connections. And I said it should not be like that)," Marcos said during the turnover ceremony held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

"Kailangan na lang hangga't kaya natin kuha lang nang kuha tayo ng mga emergency vehicle na ganito at ikalat natin. Wag na natin isipin kung saan pupunta, kung ito'y binoto ba tayo diyan, nanalo ba tayo diyan? Wala, wala nang gano'n. Kung saan man nangangailangan, magpapadala tayo (It should be: as long as we are capable, we should keep acquiring emergency vehicles like this and distribute it. Let us not think where it will be given, if they voted for us, if we won there. It should no longer be like that. It should be given to wherever it is needed)," Marcos stressed.

The goal, the President said, is for every LGU to have an ambulance. He also bared the intention to add one more to every LGU.

He also disclosed his marching order to the PCSO upon assuming the presidency to refocus its funds to charity work.

In distributing the emergency vehicles, Marcos urged the local chief executives to properly maintain the emergency vehicles.

'Crucial in the face of crises'

In his speech at the PCSO 90th anniversary celebration held at the Manila Hotel, Marcos underscored the importance of having emergency vehicles in every LGU.

"This will help reach more Filipinos, especially those who are in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Considering our country’s geography, these vehicles are crucial in the face of crises and calamities," the Chief Executive said.

The PTVs were provided by the PCSO as part of its Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program.

He also called upon the PCSO to "remember the heart of what you do."

"So, tonight, as we celebrate this milestone, I call upon everyone at PCSO to remember the heart of what you do. Continue upholding integrity, benevolence, and excellence," he said.