PCSO donates ambulances to 'Yolanda'-hit provinces

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) recently provided additional assistance to areas in Eastern Visayas devastated by super-typhoon Yolanda.

Last Friday, PCSO officials led by PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II were in Tacloban City to turn over 48 ambulances for six provinces in the region. The ambulances were given to various local government units (LGUs), public hospitals, and other beneficiary institutions.

Eight of the PCSO-donated ambulances went to provinces in Leyte; 12 to Southern Leyte; seven to Biliran; nine to Samar; five to Eastern Samar; and seven to Northern Samar.

The PCSO also handed a cheque worth 6.7 million from the proceeds of its Pamaskong Handog special Lotto draw for the benefit of 148 barangays in Tacloban to be used for medicines, medical supplies, and equipment.

PCSO Director Florencio Noel who is a native of Leyte led the turnover rites in Tacloban’s RTR Plaza. Noel used to be a member of the An Waray party list.

Recipients of the ambulances, such as mayors, vice mayors, and municipal health officers were present to receive their units.

Rojas said the latest donation is the second wave given to Yolanda-affected areas.

He explained that requests for ambulances by LGUs, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities, and associations must "comply with PCSO requirements."

The PCSO official said that fourth, fifth and sixth class towns, once their requests are approved, receives a 100 percent donation from the agency; while first, second and third class municipalities will have to shoulder 40 percent of the cost of an ambulance.

He said the PCSO is about to open its provincial branch in Maasin, which is a part of its goal to bring charity programs and services closer to the people.

Rojas assured the public that the PCSO will continue its ambulance donation program for the rest of the year.