PCSO nears completion of nationwide PTV rollout

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced it has reached 98% completion in its goal of providing Patient Transport Vehicles (PTV) to local government units (LGUs) nationwide since 2022.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles, chairperson Felix Reyes and director Jennifer Guevara led the ceremonial turnover of 82 PTVs, each costing PHP 2.3 million, to the Negros Island Region, Guimaras and Panay during an event Tuesday at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Negros Occidental received 11 ambulances, including units for the provincial government and the municipalities and cities of Calatrava, Silay, Talisay, Cadiz, Sipalay, Victorias and Binalbagan.

Negros Oriental received 22 units, including those for the provincial government and the areas of Amlan, Bais, Canlaon, Guihulngan, Bacong, Basay, Bindoy, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Manjuyod, Pamplona, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Sibulan, Tayasan, Valencia, Vallehermoso and Zamboanguita.

Siquijor received four units, including those for Lazi and Maria.

In Western Visayas, Guimaras received one unit, while Aklan received seven and Antique received eight.

This brings the total number of PTVs distributed to 1,620 across 1,642 LGUs under the PCSO’s Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program, which supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure safe and efficient patient transport, especially in far-flung communities.

“We are now at 98 percent in all towns and cities in the country, a feat that has never been done before,” Robles said, noting that the President does not politicize healthcare efforts and that the PCSO remains committed to carrying out his directives.

“While there are a lot of noises, let them be. The fact that PCSO is here means we are unbothered and focused on the job of governance,” he added.

Robles said the PCSO aims for every town and city to have at least one PTV.

He said the ambulances are equipped with oxygen tanks, patient chairs, blood pressure monitoring devices and other basic tools needed for safe transport.

Robles reiterated that PCSO is the only government agency mandated by law to conduct charity.

He said bringing PCSO under the Office of the President ensures quicker response and greater attentiveness to public needs.

“We give medical devices, we give medicines, and most of all, we give hope to Filipinos,” he said.

Robles reminded the public that every lotto ticket contributes to charity.

“You may not win the grand prize, but you help a lot of people,” he said, noting that more than 300,000 Filipinos received PCSO assistance last year.

Robles said Marcos prioritizes healthcare, citing efforts toward zero hospital billing, universal healthcare and the establishment of Yakap Centers to bring services closer to communities.

Mayor Greg Gasataya welcomed the participating LGUs and expressed gratitude that they were able to attend despite bad weather.

“In times of challenges, we know PCSO will always be there to assist us,” he said, noting support not only through PTVs but also through medical education, wheelchairs and other forms of aid.

Gasataya said the turnover was timely, as Bacolod had been struck by three typhoons in two weeks but remained resilient.

He thanked PCSO for choosing Bacolod City as the event host.

Gasataya said the city received PHP 1.1 million in PCSO share allocations following an executive order directing that a portion of lotto revenues be distributed to LGUs to boost health and welfare services and strengthen frontline delivery.