President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the turnover of 71 patient transport vehicles from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to local government units in Mindanao, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access and empowering LGUs to lead development programs. The PCSO’s ongoing initiative has already provided ambulances to 76 percent of LGUs nationwide, with full coverage expected before the end of the year. The new ambulances were distributed to various LGUs in Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Misamis Occidental, with another 158 vehicles set for delivery to Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Each vehicle is equipped with a stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, first aid kit, blood pressure monitor, and essential medicines, designed to be durable, practical, and easy to maintain. President Marcos emphasized that proceeds from sweepstakes should directly support public health programs, recalling his instruction to the PCSO to return to its charitable roots, and highlighting the importance of a healthy population for a happy population.
