The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), the nation’s casino regulator-cum-operator, says it has “strengthened its support” for the government’s healthcare initiatives with a donation of patient-transport vehicles worth PHP141.0 million (US$2.4 million) to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The PCSO will ensure distribution “to beneficiaries all over the country,” said the gaming regulator in a press release.
The two government agencies signed a memorandum of agreement on October 15, 2025.
The donation covers 70 fully equipped patient-transport vehicles that will be distributed by PCSO to qualified local government units, in a bid “to improve access to emergency medical transport and healthcare services especially in far-flung and underserved areas”.
Each vehicle is fitted with a “GPS navigation system, stretcher, medical oxygen, wheelchair, and first aid kit, ensuring safe and efficient patient transfer during emergencies,” Pagcor said in its release.
The announcement cited Pagcor chairman and chief executive, Alejandro Tengco (pictured right), as saying the PHP141.0-million donation reflects his agency’s full support to strengthen the country’s health and emergency response system.
“These vehicles are not mere means of transport – they are lifelines that can spell the difference between life and death for those who need immediate medical attention,” Mr Tengco stated.
“By combining Pagcor’s resources with PCSO’s long-standing experience in health-related programmes, we can reach more communities and save more lives,” he added.
Mr Tengco also thanked PCSO general manager Melquiades Robles (pictured left) and his team for the collaboration.
The 70-unit donation is part of Pagcor’s commitment to provide a total of 246 emergency vehicles to local government units, hospitals, and frontline agencies across the Philippines.
