First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos on Tuesday led the turnover of 44 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to local government units across Mindanao as part of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's (PCSO) efforts to improve access to healthcare.

Held at the Libertad Sports Complex, the turnover supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to bring essential government services closer to communities.

The vehicles were distributed under PCSO's Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP), which aims to strengthen patient mobility, emergency medical response, and access to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles said the initiative reflects the agency's commitment to converting gaming revenues into meaningful public service.

"Every Patient Transport Vehicle we turn over today represents PCSO's commitment to bring help closer to our kababayans, especially during moments when timely medical response can save lives," Robles said.

The 44 vehicles were awarded to selected LGUs in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Basilan, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

The municipalities of Catarman, Guinsiliban, Mahinog, Mambajao, and Sagay in Camiguin also received patient transport vehicles.

Robles said the PTVs will help local governments provide faster emergency transport, strengthen local health services, and support disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts.

"This turnover is part of our continuing effort to make PCSO's charity work felt in more communities. We will continue to support the healthcare priorities of the Marcos administration and work with local governments so that more Filipinos can access the help they need, when they need it," he said.

Before the Butuan distribution, PCSO also turned over 13 patient transport vehicles to seven provinces affected by the 8 June 2026 magnitude 7.8 earthquake off Maasim, Sarangani, benefiting Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato.