PCSO expands patient transport fleet in Mindanao with 44 vehicles

MANILA, Philippines — The first lady, Louise Araneta-Marcos, led the turnover on Tuesday of 44 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to local government units in Mindanao at the Libertad Sports Complex in Butuan City.

According to a PCSO statement, the turnover reinforced the administration’s commitment to accessible healthcare, advancing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to bring essential services closer to Filipinos.

“The turnover forms part of PCSO’s continuing rollout of PTVs nationwide under its Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP), which supports local governments in strengthening patient mobility, emergency medical response, and access to hospitals and other healthcare facilities,” the PCSO said.

READ: Mindanao earthquake: PCSO, AAC among first to mobilize aid

“Every Patient Transport Vehicle we turn over today represents PCSO’s commitment to bring help closer to our kababayans, especially during moments when timely medical response can save lives,” PCSO General Manager Melquiades A. Robles said.

The 44 PTVs were distributed to selected local government units across Mindanao, including beneficiaries in the following areas:

• Agusan del Norte
• Sulu
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Bukidnon
• Camiguin
• Lanao del Norte
• Misamis Occidental
• Misamis Oriental
• Davao de Oro
• Davao Oriental
• Agusan del Sur
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Basilan
• Lanao del Sur
• Maguindanao del Norte
• Maguindanao del Sur
• Tawi-Tawi

The municipalities of Catarman, Guinsiliban, Mahinog, Mambajao, and Sagay in Camiguin were also among the beneficiaries of the program.

According to Robles, the continuing distribution of PTVs is anchored on PCSO’s mandate to ensure that proceeds from its gaming operations will be returned to the public through concrete health and social services.

“Sa bawat taya, may kawanggawa [For every bet, there’s charity.] This is the heart of PCSO’s work. We continue to expand the distribution of these vehicles so that more local government units can be assisted, more patients can be reached, and healthcare services can be delivered more quickly to those in need,” Robles said.

READ: PCSO sends large-scale aid, vehicle fleet to quake-hit Mindanao

The PTVs are expected to help local governments provide timely patient transport services, especially during medical emergencies. The vehicles may also support local health programs, disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts.

“This turnover is part of our continuing effort to make PCSO’s charity work felt in more communities. We will continue to support the healthcare priorities of the Marcos administration and work with local governments so that more Filipinos can access the help they need, when they need it,” Robles added.

Before the Butuan turnover, PCSO also distributed 13 PTVs to seven earthquake provinces affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Maasim, Sarangani Province on June 8, 2026:

• Davao del Norte
• Davao del Sur
• Davao Occidental
• Sarangani, South Cotabato
• Sultan Kudarat
• Cotabato

/atm