By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANDALUYONG CITY — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is targeting to distribute ambulances nationwide before the end of the term of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. in 2028.
“Every municipality, town, or city in the country will be given an ambulance, including those who are not allied with the sitting governor,” PCSO Chairman Judge (Ret.) Felix Reyes said in an interview on Tuesday (July 23).
“We already have distributed 225 units (ambulances) and another 375 units are now being processed for distribution,” Reyes added.
“We also have allocated the budget for 1,000 units to be distributed next year,” he said.
“For the first time, the PCSO has recognized the need to bring the sickly patients from the island provinces to the nearest hospital,” Reyes said.
He noted that the Philippines is an archpelagic nation, meaning that, the country is composed of 7,100 islands (high tide) and 7,107 islands (low tide).
Reyes said that by next year (2025), the PCSO will be procuring an initial of five sea ambulances to be distributed to the qualified island provinces.
The PCSO is now in the process of the finalization of the terms of reference in coordination with the MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority).
