First Lady turns over 44 PTVs to Mindanao LGUs from PCSO
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Another milestone in healthcare service was achieved on July 7 in Butuan City as 44 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) were turned over to 20 provinces and five municipalities across Mindanao. Leading the ceremony on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was First Lady Louise Liza Araneta-Marcos, joined by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades A. Robles.
The provision of new PTVs was made possible through PCSO’s Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP), which channels a portion of the agency’s game proceeds to address community needs.
“Sa bawat taya, may kawanggawa. This is the heart of PCSO’s work. Through these vehicles, we are not only providing transportation; we are helping local governments respond faster, reach more patients, and deliver care when it is needed most,” said Robles.
In alignment with President Marcos’ healthcare agenda of ensuring the availability and accessibility of healthcare to every Filipino, regardless of where they are situated, PCSO’s MTVDP supports local government units (LGUs) in strengthening their healthcare through the safe and efficient transport of patients to hospitals and healthcare facilities, especially during emergencies.
“Every patient transport vehicle we turn over today represents PCSO’s commitment to bring help closer to our kababayans [countrymen], especially during moments when timely medical response can save lives,” added Robles.
The local government units (LGUs) who benefitted from the said turnover were the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Sulu, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Basilan, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi.
In addition, five municipalities from the province of Camiguin also received their share of PTVs, particularly: Catarman, Guinsilban, Mahinog, Mambajao, and Sagay.
Provincial governors, vice-governors, and mayors personally attended the turnover—each thanking PCSO and the First Lady as they ceremoniously received the key to the vehicles. After signing the deeds of donation, each local chief executive (LCE) excitedly brought home the newly awarded PTVs, surely a welcome surprise for their constituents.
Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. thanked the President, the First Lady, and PCSO for the assistance, noting that the vehicles would help their hospitals reach even the remotest villages.
“We are very happy to receive these two PTVs for our province since this would be a great help to our existing three hospitals, especially in times of untoward incidents. We will be strategically placing the two PTVs in two different hospitals in the first and second districts to ensure equal opportunity for our citizens across Dinagat to avail of such services,” said Gov. Demerey.
“On behalf of the entire Dinagat Islands and the other Mindanao LCEs who benefited from PCSO’s program, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to PCSO for implementing this initiative, as well as to President Marcos and the First Lady for inspiring such a program which directly aligns with the current administration’s vision,” he added.
The turnover of 44 PTVs stands as a concrete step toward bridging healthcare gaps in Mindanao, reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive public service. With these vehicles now in the hands of local leaders, communities across the island region are better equipped to respond to emergencies and deliver timely medical care—bringing hope and lifesaving assistance closer to every Filipino family. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
