Gov. Edduba brings home 3rd patient transport vehicle for Kalinga, expanding emergency care

"We are so privileged... other provinces have only one or two, while Kalinga now has three" - Governor James S. Edduba 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Governor James S. Edduba has secured a third patient transport vehicle (PTV) for the Province of Kalinga from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), further strengthening the province's emergency healthcare services and improving access to life-saving medical transport for iKalingas, particularly those living in remote communities.

The latest patient transport vehicle was formally turned over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and officials of the PCSO during a ceremonial distribution in San Fernando, Pampanga, on July 24, 2026. The vehicle was granted following Governor Edduba's request to the President, which was subsequently endorsed to the PCSO.

The newly acquired unit will be assigned to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital (KPH) to support the transport of patients requiring emergency referrals and specialized medical care.

During the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo on August 3 at the New Conference Hall in Bulanao, Governor Edduba described the additional vehicle as another milestone in the Provincial Government's continuing efforts to make quality healthcare more accessible.

"Last Friday, we went to receive the ambulance that was given to the province from the Office of the President. We are so privileged kasi diay dadduma nga probinsya ket sagmamaysa or duwa, datayo maikatlo en," the governor said.

Governor Edduba explained that the newly acquired vehicle is now the third patient transport unit obtained by the Provincial Government in recent years.

The first unit was donated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), while the second was acquired through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). The newest unit was personally turned over by President Marcos during the ceremony in Pampanga.

"Diay umuna ket naggapo iti PAGCOR, and the second is from the PSWDO. The third one this time, we received it in Pampanga and ni mismo nga Presidente ti nangiyawat idiay," he added.

The vehicle forms part of the PCSO Patient Transport Vehicle Donation Program, a nationwide initiative that aims to improve emergency medical transport services for local government units and government hospitals.

The program reached a major milestone on July 24 after President Marcos led the turnover of the final 34 patient transport vehicles, completing the distribution of 1,830 units to all 82 provinces, cities, municipalities, and selected government hospitals across the country.

Governor Edduba emphasized that the additional vehicle will help reduce delays in transporting patients, especially those from geographically isolated and disadvantaged barangays who require immediate referral to higher-level healthcare facilities.

With three patient transport vehicles now serving the province, the Provincial Government continues to strengthen Kalinga's healthcare system through close collaboration with national government agencies. The additional unit is expected to enhance emergency response, speed up patient referrals, improve access to essential medical services, and ultimately help save more lives across the province.