President Marcos on Tuesday, Sept. 10, said that the country’s health care system should not be politicized as he delivered 129 ambulances to local government units (LGUs) regardless of political affiliations.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of 129 ambulances or Patient Transport Vehicles (PTV) to Local Government Units (LGU) beneficiaries under the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (Malacañang photo)
Despite facing “numerous challenges” in the country’s health care system, he touted that augmenting the number of ambulances in LGUs will significantly improve the delivery of emergency health services in vulnerable communities and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
In a speech at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to lead the distribution of patient transport vehicles (PTVs) under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP), the Chief Executive shared that one of his first instructions upon becoming President is the purchase of ambulances for LGUs regardless of political color.
Marcos said he knows firsthand that the provision of ambulances to LGUs can be politicized if the provincial governor isn’t part of the administration.
“Kaya ika ko hindi naman dapat pinupulitika ang healthcare system natin (That’s why I said our healthcare system shouldn’t be politicized),” he added.
“These vehicles are vital resources to support our heroes in the medical field --- our first responders --- kasama diyan siyempre ‘yung ating mga healthcare workers, ngunit nangunguna diyan talaga ang mga LGU (included there are our healthcare workers, but the ones from LGU will come first).”
Noting the role of LGUs in transporting patients to hospitals, Marcos stressed that, “Many times, these vehicles make the difference between life and death.”
“No matter how many hospitals and health centers we build, no matter how many medical health professionals we employ, and no matter how much equipment we acquire, it would all be devoid of meaning and purpose if patients cannot reach them in moments of need,” he added.
The President distributed one ambulance each to 87 LGUs in CALABARZON, 25 LGUs in the Bicol region, eight LGUs in Central Luzon, six LGUs in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and three LGUs in Cagayan Valley.
Marcos cited the PCO’s medical transport vehicle program for building on its thrust “to improve healthcare access and provide swift medical intervention.”
He also lamented that as a country inside the Pacific Rim of Fire and susceptible to earthquakes and typhoons every year, the Philippines remains vulnerable to hazards and disasters.
“Specifically, we will be giving these PTVs to provincial, city, and municipal governments to help ensure that their constituencies will be given the chance to pull through whenever they need these assets for the rescue, for the healthcare of those who have become victims to these natural calamities,” he added.
Marcos shared that the program plans to procure more PTVs to ensure that every municipality in the country will have two vehicles each.
“It is a vision worth every ounce of effort, so I enjoin each of you to stand firm, to press on until we turn this aspiration that we have into reality, and we certainly can do it,” he said.
“I expect that every LGU beneficiary will use these vehicles responsibly and efficiently, and I urge the PCSO, the LGUs, and other agencies to continue creating programs and projects that will bring life and security to everyone,” the President added.