PCSO gives ambulances to 6 LGUs, 3 primary hospitals in Negros Oriental

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz was in Dumaguete City on Friday for the distribution of ambulances to six local government units and three community primary hospitals in Negros Oriental.

The recipients are the LGUs of the towns of Amlan, San Jose, Sibulan and Valencia, the cities of Canlaon and Guihulngan, and the community primary hospitals at Kalomboyan in Bayawan City, at Luz-Sikatuna in Guihulngan City and at Pacuan in La Libertad.

Corpuz said there are about 400 ambulances to be distributed nationwide before the year ends. One ambulance costs about P866,000 that is given for free to 4th, 5th and 6th class cities or municipalities, and under a 60-40 fund sharing scheme for 1st to 3rd class cities or municipalities.

He enjoined 190 LGUs all over the country—which have not availed themselves yet of the ambulance program—to submit their documents for immediate distribution. For those who had received their units may get another set of ambulances after five years, he said.

Corpuz also announced, during the turnover ceremony, that starting November 15, the daily allocation for the provincial offices of the PCSO is doubled from P100,000 to P200,000, so everybody who are seeking for financial and medical assistance will be given.  

He said that his job at the PCSO is to generate funds, and so there’s no limit with funds. “Hindi na bale magkautang ang PCSO provided that mapunta ito sa tulong,” Corpuz said during his speech at the ceremony.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was able to catch up with the rites and Corpuz. He then requested for four more ambulances for use by the remaining primary hospitals in the province. 

Degamo just arrived from an executive-legislative session in Cebu with members of the Negros Oriental Provincial Board, headed by Vice Governor Edward Mark Macias. (FREEMAN)