Marcos: Philippines to Achieve 100% Ambulance Coverage by 2025

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In an unprecedented initiative, the Philippine government aims to provide every municipality with at least one ambulance by 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced. The project, spearheaded by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), seeks to deliver a total of 985 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) by the end of the year, ultimately reaching 1,552 vehicles nationwide.

As of now, 567 ambulances have already been distributed this year, marking significant progress toward this historic goal. If successful, this will be the first time in the nation’s history that every municipality, totaling 1,493, will be supplied with an emergency vehicle.

President Marcos stated that achieving 100% coverage within a three-year span represents a monumental accomplishment for the country, enhancing emergency response and healthcare accessibility across all regions. "For the first time, we can say that we were able to complete 100% coverage in all municipalities in just a span of three years," he noted.

During his visit to Misamis Oriental, Marcos distributed 91 PTVs, primarily benefiting municipalities in Northern Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Notably, 68 of these municipalities will receive an ambulance for the first time, representing a landmark development in their emergency response capabilities.

The P2.2-billion initiative aims to improve preparedness and response to both natural and man-made disasters at local and national levels. The PTVs, equipped with essential medical tools such as a stretcher, oxygen tank, and blood pressure monitor, are being allocated through the PCSO's Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP).

This comprehensive rollout underscores the Marcos administration's commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and providing essential services to all Filipinos, empowering local government units and hospitals to better serve their communities. As this initiative continues, it promises to significantly strengthen the country’s capacity to handle emergencies effectively.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin

-- 2025-04-22