BATANGAS CITY, Philippines — The provincial government of Batangas received ₱22.65 million worth of advanced medical equipment from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Thursday, November 5, to bolster local diagnostic capabilities and healthcare services.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles officially handed over the donation—consisting of an ultraportable X-ray machine, a digital stationary X-ray unit, and an ultrasound machine—to Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto at the provincial capitol. The turnover was facilitated through the agency’s Medical Equipment Donation Program (MEDP).
According to the PCSO, the upgraded equipment aims to streamline early disease detection, assist medical professionals in making prompt treatment decisions, and spare patients from traveling to distant facilities for standard diagnostic procedures.
Robles noted that the initiative aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to decentralize and deliver public services directly to local communities.
“Ang bilin po ng Pangulong BBM, ibaba ang serbisyo sa tao. Let’s bring government to the people. This is why we provide these equipment, upang mas mailapit po ng lokal na pamahalaan ang serbisyo sa taumbayan. Ang PCSO, hindi umuurong sa pagtulong,” Robles stated.
Governor Santos-Recto welcomed the high-grade donation, emphasizing its critical role in strengthening provincial health initiatives.
“Nakakatuwa po dahil ang pangako ng PCSO, hindi drawing. Natanggap po namin ang biyayang ito na malaki ang maitutulong para sa aming health programs dito sa probinsya. At ang mga equipment po na ibinigay ninyo ay first-class. Maraming salamat po, PCSO,” she said.
The newly donated machinery includes an ultraportable X-ray device designed for remote or hard-to-reach areas, alongside stationary X-ray and ultrasound units intended to augment patient assessment resources.
This latest turnover builds on prior assistance extended to Batangas by the agency this year, which included patient transport vehicles and mobility aids provided to the provincial government in January, alongside medical devices and supplies distributed to the municipalities of San Juan and Tingloy in September.