The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), the nation’s casino regulator-cum-operator, has delivered 11 patient-transport vehicles to various local government units (LGUs) and institutions. The vehicles will help “boost healthcare delivery in remote and disaster-affected areas,” stated the agency in a recent press release.
The beneficiaries include the municipalities of Pandi (Bulacan); Barbaza (Antique); Ipil (Zamboanga Sibugay); Lubao (Pampanga); Vintar and Piddig (Ilocos Norte); Claveria (Misamis Oriental); San Carlos City (Pangasinan); and Maasin City (Southern Leyte).
The San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City, and the Sorsogon State University also received emergency vehicles from the agency.
The announcement cited Pagcor chairman and chief executive, Alejandro Tengco, as saying the agency was committed to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system by providing reliable emergency support vehicles.
“We donate these patient-transport vehicles because we want to help build healthier and more resilient communities,” Mr Tengco stated. “Each vehicle represents a lifeline that can bring patients to safety and ensure timely medical attention.”
He added: “We hope our beneficiaries will take care of these units and use them to serve those who need them most.”
The update quoted the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital medical center chief, Dr Marilou Nery, as saying: “These vehicles will do more than transport patients. They will allow us to reach more communities through medical missions, blood donation drives, and school-based health programmes.”
Pagcor said that in the last nine months, it has already distributed 153 patient-transport vehicles to LGUs, partner agencies, and institutions nationwide, including 70 units turned over to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office recently.
