MANILA, Philippines – Valenzuela City residents who need emergency medical care now only have to call their barangay offices and request for an ambulance and they will be on their way to the hospital.

The city government of Valenzuela has turned over 27 ambulance units to its 32 barangays in response to requests for faster medical assistance from the local government.

Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said Friday during the turnover rites that some P31.7 million was released from the city coffers to bankroll the ambulance fleet.

“It is important that barangays are equipped to serve. The services of the city start with the barangay. They are the first ones that residents call to for help, not the councilors, not the mayor,” he said.

According to Gatchalian, the city funded the ambulance fleet in order to develop the healthcare services delivered by the city governments through its barangays.

Ambulance units chartered from private medical care providers usually cost between P4,000 to P5,000.

The 27 ambulances were funded by the City Development Fund of 2008, which represents 20 percent of the city’s total budget.

Each ambulance has a portable medical oxygen tank, anerode type blood pressure apparatus, ambubag adult and pedia combination manual resuscitator, minor surgical kit, first aid kit, and a stretcher with safety strap.