MANDALUYONG CITY – The Province of Apayao accepted a generous donation of one ambulance unit from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) today, February 21.
During a formal turnover ceremony held at the PCSO Headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr., and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Mark Joleen Calban received the Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV) on behalf of the province. This ambulance will serve the medical transport needs of the community and will be deployed to the Apayao Provincial Hospital located in Kabugao.
Apayao is the only province selected to receive such a vehicle. Additionally, various municipalities in the country, including Salcedo in Ilocos Sur, San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte, Janiuay in Iloilo, Santo Tomas in Isabela, Matag-ob in Leyte, Clarin in Bohol, Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental, Daanbantayan in Cebu, Samal in Bataan, and San Jose de Buenavista in Antique, have also been beneficiaries of similar donations.
Governor Bulut Jr. expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles for their invaluable support. He emphasized the significance of the ambulance in enhancing the province’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in facilitating the swift and safe transport of patients, especially infants requiring urgent medical attention at more advanced healthcare facilities.
“Malaking tulong ito sa pag-transport ng aming mga pasyente, lalong lalo na sa mga babies na nangangailangan ng agarang gamutan sa mas malalaking mga hospital,” Bulut said.
Apayao Lone District Representative Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang was also instrumental in securing this donation, having made the request to PCSO in 2023, highlighting her ongoing efforts to improve healthcare accessibility in the province.
This donation marks another significant contribution to Apayao’s healthcare system, following last year’s acceptance of a PTV during the Cordillera Day celebration. By PIO Apayao
