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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCSO to roll out landing craft vessel in Batanes to improve patient transport

PCSO to roll out landing craft vessel in Batanes to improve patient transport

Published Mar 30, 2026 01:17 pm
(AI-GENERATED IMAGE FROM PCSO)
(AI-GENERATED IMAGE FROM PCSO)
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said it will deploy a landing craft vessel (LCV) in Batanes later this year to improve patient transport across its island municipalities.
In a statement, PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles described the LCV as a “mini RORO” that allows ambulances to be loaded directly onto the vessel.
The agency said the LCV is intended to support patient mobility by transporting patients, responders, and essential medical supplies between islands such as Sabtang and Basco.
According to the PCSO, its shoreline-access capability will help speed up the transfer of patients to healthcare facilities, especially in urgent situations.
Robles said that patients can stay inside the ambulance throughout the journey until they reach the hospital, eliminating the need for multiple transfers.
“Direkta natin silang madadala sa pinakamalapit na pagamutan—isang tunay na door-to-door na serbisyong medikal (We can bring them directly to the nearest medical facility—a truly door-to-door medical service),” he added.
Robles said the initiative seeks to address mobility challenges in geographically isolated areas, where access to healthcare is often constrained by sea conditions and limited transport options.
Such move, PCSO said, is in line with President Marcos’ directive to make healthcare accessible to all and to strengthen inter-island healthcare access.
“The initiative will complement PCSO’s existing support through the provision of patient transport vehicles to local government units, which serve communities on land but are limited in reaching areas separated by water,” the agency.
PCSO said Batanes has about 18,000 residents across six municipalities and 29 barangays, where communities are separated by sea, posing ongoing challenges to timely healthcare access.

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PCSO roll out landing craft vessel LCV Batanes improve patient transport mini RORO
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