THE Lapu-Lapu City government acquired three new vehicles and received one vehicle from the Department of Health (DOH) to serve emergency and rescue purposes and dental health services.
The four vehicles include two brand-new ambulances worth P2.5 million each, a coaster worth P3 million and a pickup truck worth P1.9 million.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said one ambulance will be assigned to the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital for transporting patients to other hospitals for certain cases.
The other ambulance will be stationed at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall to respond to other emergencies.
“Aduna man gud mga taga lagyo nga barangay nga maglisod na og abot diri sa City Health. Ang uban maulaw, mao nga sila na gyud atong adtoon,” said Radaza in an interview after the vehicles were blessed by Fr. James Duero on December 21.
(There are residents from far-flung barangays who have difficulties in reaching City Health. The others are shy to come here so we bring the services to them.)
Dr. Bolivar Miñoza, chief of hospital at the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital, said there are emergency cases when patients needed to be transported from the city hospital to other hospitals for further diagnostics and treatments.
Miñoza said the availability of the ambulance will ensure that patients’ needs are immediately addressed.
The coaster, which was donated by DOH, will serve as a Mobile Dental Clinic with a doctor and a dedicated crew from the City Health Office.
The mobile clinic will be following a schedule to visit barangays for dental operations.
Radaza said the pickup truck is assigned to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to respond to disaster-related concerns of different barangays.
CDRRMO chief Andy Berame said the new vehicle will be helpful in addressing the needs of barangays in times of disasters and emergencies.