By Samantha Yu
BASCO, BATANES — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is preparing to deploy a landing craft vessel (LCV) in Batanes later this year to enhance inter-island patient transport. The move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to expand healthcare access nationwide.
The LCV, described by PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles as a “mini RORO,” can carry ambulances directly onto the vessel. This allows patients to remain inside the ambulance during transfers, ensuring faster and safer access to hospitals.
Designed for island-to-island travel, the vessel will carry patients, medical personnel, and supplies between municipalities such as Basco and Sabtang. “Patients will receive continuous care from pickup to hospital, without repeated transfers,” Robles said.
This initiative addresses longstanding mobility issues in geographically isolated communities, supplementing PCSO’s current patient transport programs for land-based areas. A recent medical and dental mission highlighted the need for such services, providing free consultations, medicines, and AI-powered X-ray screenings to residents across Batanes’ 29 barangays. Local officials praised the LCV as a key improvement in healthcare accessibility.
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