The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has turned over 18 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to 10 provinces in the Visayas as part of its efforts to improve access to healthcare services in underserved communities.

The turnover, held in Cebu City on 25 June, supports the healthcare agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. by helping local government units transport patients more safely and efficiently to hospitals and other medical facilities.

Under the PCSO's Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program, the vehicles were distributed to the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The agency said the vehicles will strengthen emergency medical transport, particularly in remote areas where access to healthcare remains limited.

With the latest distribution, PCSO has now turned over a total of 1,731 Patient Transport Vehicles to provinces, cities, municipalities, and government hospitals nationwide.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades A. Robles led the ceremonial turnover alongside governors and local officials.

"At PCSO, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serve and fully support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s agenda of bringing essential services closer to the Filipino people, because helping them is both our mandate and our responsibility," Robles said.

"The Patient Transport Vehicles that we are turning over will help bring healthcare services closer to those who need them most, especially those living in remote and underserved communities," he added.

Robles said the value of the agency's programs is reflected in the timely assistance provided to communities.

"When patients are brought to the hospital on time, when communities receive better services, or when families are given hope in times of need, we see the true value of our shared efforts," he said.

The Cebu event also included the ceremonial release of local government shares from lotto revenues covering the period from July to December 2025.

The Province of Cebu received P694,180.45; Eastern Samar, P276,825.94; Leyte, P1,095,531.25; Northern Samar, P986,794.95; Negros Oriental, P253,414.53; Siquijor, P53,737.56; and the Cebu City government, P2,169,768.96.

The allocations are part of PCSO's mandated distribution of lotto revenues to local government units for local programs and services.

The Cebu turnover followed a similar distribution on 24 June in Iloilo City, where nine Patient Transport Vehicles were turned over to five Western Visayas provinces: Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.

PCSO said the Visayas distribution forms part of its continuing partnership with local governments to improve healthcare access and ensure assistance reaches communities most in need.