(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES)
MANILA, Philippines – The nation’s healthcare initistives must be shielded from politics to better serve the Filipino people, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. stressed during the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) distribution of 129 ambulances to local government units on Tuesday.
“Ang instruction ko talaga noong kami ay bagong upo, ang instruction ko talaga kay [PCSO General Manager] Mel Robles ay sabi ko sa kanya, alam mo pagka pinag-uusapan ang ambulansya, healthcare na ‘yan. Buhay na ng tao ‘yan. Dapat huwag nang pinupulitika ‘yan,” Marcos said.
(My instruction to PCSO General Manager Robles when I assumed office, I told him, regarding ambulances, that’s already part of healthcare. It’s about people’s lives. It should not be politicized.)
Marcos said he knows the situation by heart, committing that there will be no political colors when it comes to ensuring that all local governments will receive an ambulance.
“So that is what we are doing today. And that is why I am very, very happy because it is a true service to the people. It is removed from political color, it is removed from all of these political forces which unfortunately we all know was the way it was conducted before,” he said.
“So, palitan na natin ‘yan at tingnan natin lang hindi na kung sino ang mga magkakampi, kung sino ang mga kaalyado. Kalimutan na muna natin ‘yan. Asikasuhin muna natin ang taong-bayan,” he added.
(So let’s change that mindset by looking at who are allies. Let’s forget that. Let’s attend to the people in general.)
A budget of P2.2 billion was approved by the President for the distribution of 1,000 ambulances to cover all the LGUs nationwide, with the procurement process still ongoing.
Eighty-seven LGUs in the Calabarzon (Cavite. Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region, 25 in the Bicol region, eight in Central Luzon, six in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and three in Cagayan Valley each received an ambulance.
The ambulances, estimated to cost P2.1 million each, are equipped with essential medical tools like stretchers, oxygen tanks, blood pressure monitors and wheelchairs.
Marcos, the distribution of ambulances nationwide would address the need for medical transport vehicles in conflict-stricken areas, vulnerable communities, and geographically isolated and disadvantaged regions.
Meanwhile, the PCSO said it has already successfully distributed 356 ambulances under the donation program.