MMDA acquires rescue ambulances, truck for quick response during calamities

MANILA, Philippines–The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority unveiled on Wednesday new vehicles that it said would help boost its rescue efforts, adding that more equipment were supposed to arrive but were “possibly” delayed because of the port congestion.

During the presentation of the new vehicles to the media at the MMDA headquarters past 9 a.m., MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the five rescue ambulances and a high-ground rescue truck equipped with a five-ton crane and front bumper would be used for “Oplan Metro Yakal” or for when earthquakes strike.

“But if there is no earthquake, these would be used for everyday accidents,” he said.

He said the average number of accidents on Edsa was 23 a day.

If there was no traffic on the thoroughfare, he said the average number was six.

According to Tolentino, the vehicles–the cheapest of which cost P2.9 million–would be pre-positioned in the “four quadrants” of Metro Manila under Oplan Metro Yakal–Metro Manila South, Metro Manila North, Metro Manila East, and Metro Manila West.

“That’s what we did when Typhoon Mario struck. We divided Metro Manila into four quadrants so that’s what we will do also,” he said.

He said each ambulance had “complete” features.

“You can give birth, (there is an) incubator like what happened in Albay (with the refugee center). This is already like a hospital,” he said.

MMDA Director Mon Santiago, who has been placed in charge of Oplan Metro Yakal, said in each big ambulance, three people who were lying down and a “few ambulatory” ones could fit.

“In the small ambulance, two people can fit,” he said, adding this was capable of “addressing cardiac problems.”

Tolentino said apart from the vehicles, other “small earthquake equipment” was due to arrive.

“(The vehicles are the new ones) but there are other small earthquake equipment that are on their way but was possibly delayed because of the port congestion (Ito yung mga bago pero may mga parating pa na mga earthquake equipment na maliliit na naiipit pa ata sa port congestion),” he said.