The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), the nation’s casino regulator-cum-operator, has delivered 10 patient-transport vehicles, worth PHP20.0-million (US$354,654), to a number of local government units and a state university. The vehicles will help these institutions “enhance their emergency medical services,” said the agency in a Monday press release.
The beneficiaries include the municipalities of Palanan, Quezon, San Isidro, Cabagan, San Mariano, and San Pablo, all in Isabela province.
The city of Parañaque; the municipality of Tanauan in Batangas; the municipality of Balabac in Palawan; and the Mariano Marcos State University, in Ilocos Norte, each received one patient-transport vehicle.
A ceremony marking the donation of the vehicles was held on June 26 at the Pagcor Corporate Office in Pasay City.
“Each vehicle is fitted with a GPS navigation system and essential medical equipment such as an ambulance stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, and first aid kit,” Pagcor said in its release.
The announcement cited Pagcor chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco as saying the donations were part of the agency’s efforts to improve healthcare services in geographically isolated communities.
“We want to ensure that even remote areas have the means to respond to medical emergencies. This is part of Pagcor’s commitment to reach communities that need government support the most,” Mr Tengco stated.


