STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan— In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to bring healthcare services closer to Filipinos, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) turned over medical equipment, medicines and a patient transport vehicle (PTV) to this town’s infirmary, on October 13.
The move was in fulfillment of the President’s commitment to support the municipality’s public healthcare needs.
In his recorded message, President Marcos announced that the equipment requested by Mayor Carlito S. Zaplan for the municipality’s medical facilities had been approved for provision by PCSO.
“I’m very happy to announce to our friends in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan that the equipment that was requested for your medical facilities has already been approved and will be provided by the PCSO,” the President said.
The PCSO’s donation included a stationary X-ray machine, adjustable hospital beds, additional patient transport vehicle, medicines, wheelchairs, and other medical devices for the infirmary.
“This is my promise to you, and I’m happy to say that I have fulfilled that promise,” President Marcos said.
Meanwhile, PCSO General Manager Melquiades A. Robles emphasized that access to healthcare should extend to Filipinos regardless of their location or financial circumstances.
“Every time we visit a community like Santa Barbara, we are reminded of the purpose behind the work to bring assistance to Filipinos who need it the most,” Robles said.
“Every Filipino deserves access to proper medical care, regardless of circumstances,” he continued.
Robles also stressed the importance of ensuring that communities feel the benefits of government services and understand how their support for legal games helps fund assistance.
For his part, Pangasinan’s Gov. Ramon Guico III thanked the President and PCSO, saying the assistance supports the province’s focus on healthcare.
“I thank the President and the PCSO for the assistance which is very, very massive. Thank you because our main thrust here in Pangasinan is health and I’m glad that one of PCSO’s mandate is for healthcare, na tulungan ang mga kapos. Marami pong salamat,” the governor said.
Mayor Zaplan welcomed the response to the municipality’s request for additional healthcare resources.
Through its medical equipment, and PTV donation programs, PCSO’s assistance will strengthen the Sta. Barbara Infirmary’s diagnostic and patient care services and help transport residents to medical facilities.
These programs complement the agency’s medical assistance and other charity programs for Filipinos in need./PN
