Photo by Marhom Ibrahim
COTABATO CITY—To complete the 34 land ambulances project of some members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), another 17 ambulances were given by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to health facilities in the region on April 5.
Each of the ambulances was worth P2.4-million, funded under the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) 2021 of BTA members Bai Intan Adil-Ampatuan, Faiz Alauddin, Hashim Abdullah, Ali Sangki, Paisalin Tago, Abdulraof Macacua, Haron Abas, and Narciso Co Yu Ekey.
Nine (9) ambulances were handed over to Maguindanao, specifically to the municipal government of Pagalungan, Datu Paglas, General Salipada K. Pendatun; barangay local government units in the municipalities of Ampatuan, Mother Kabuntalan, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan Mastura; and to the rural health unit of Datu Blah Sinsuat.
For Basilan, two ambulances were given to Maluso RHU and one each to Lantawan, Mohammad Adjul, and Al Barka. Cotabato City, Tamparan District Hospital in Lanao del Sur, and Bangsamoro Communication Network (BCN) in Kabacan each also received one unit of ambulance.
The first batch of 17 ambulances were already turned over to the beneficiaries from the different provinces of the region on March 6. [Read related story: Lawmakers pour in P157-million health projects for Bangsamoro constituents]
“This is a sign that our government is responsive to the needs of our community,” said MOH Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang, adding that the ambulances will really help in saving the lives of patients.
“Sana those who will be receiving these vehicles ay mababantayan na intended ito to transport needy patients,” he added.
Representing the Municipality of Pagalungan, Atty. Jaihanie Mamugka expressed gratitude to the Bangsamoro Government for giving support to the local government and assured commitment to the endeavors of the regional government.
“We are deeply humbled for always choosing our municipality in all of the programs of the BARMM government,” said Mamugka.
Meanwhile, one of the BTA members Hashim Abdullah said, “Pagbutihin natin yung pag-handle nitong mga ambulances na ito at gamitin sa tama. Sa aming tanggapan naman, we have chosen your areas because kumbaga (these areas) need focus.” (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
