Marcos turns over 124 PTVs in Eastern Visayas to boost emergency healthcare

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover of 124 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) for local government units in Eastern Visayas to strengthen the country's emergency healthcare system.

Marcos emphasized his administration’s commitment to ensuring every province, city, and municipality has access to emergency medical transport during a ceremony held in Ormoc City, Leyte on Monday.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has already delivered 1,173 PTVs nationwide, covering approximately 72 percent of all LGUs, with the goal of achieving full coverage by December, as Marcos promised to eliminate out-of-pocket hospital expenses and overhaul the country's underfunded health system.

Each vehicle is equipped with essential healthcare equipment such as stretchers, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, first aid kits, blood pressure monitors, and medicine cabinets to ensure safe and timely patient transfers.

Marcos highlighted that this initiative supports the Universal Health Care Act by making essential health services accessible and mentioned other ongoing reforms like establishing specialty centers and introducing 'zero billing' in DOH hospitals.

The President announced plans for a second round of distribution to achieve 100% coverage, targeting larger cities where a single unit is insufficient once nationwide coverage is achieved.