Capitol clarifies: Sea ambulance not yet procured

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government has confirmed that the sea ambulance featured in its recent social media posts has not yet been formally purchased.

During budget discussions, officials revealed that the vessel was only borrowed and is currently awaiting clearance from the Office of the President (OP).

The clarification was presented during the November 25th deliberation on the 2026 budget of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

Despite being touted online as the Cebu’s “first-ever sea ambulance,” Capitol officials said the unit remains unpurchased and carries no rental contract with the supplier.

PDRRMO head Dennis Pastor and Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas told the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) that the vessel was merely lent to the Capitol for test-run purposes.

Rodas emphasized there is “no contract whatsoever” between the Province and the supplier, Dynacast. He said the unit was made available as part of a market survey, similar to test-driving a vehicle before entering a formal procurement process.

According to Rodas, the “Province of Cebu” logo seen on the boat was only part of the supplier’s marketing presentation to demonstrate what the ambulance could look like if purchased. "Mura ba’g part siya sa ato’ng market survey kung unsa gud ni’g ambulansiya," he said.

However, the post says otherwise, as it describes the unit as the Province’s “first-ever sea ambulance,” highlighting it as a major step in improving emergency response for island municipalities.

A second post from the governor's official Facebook page on November 12 again featured the same vessel, this time reportedly delivering medicines to Camotes Island as part of a “sea trial.”

During the deliberation, Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III questioned why the sea ambulance was being used if it had not been formally procured.

Martinez also sought clarity on the P25-million allocation listed for the rental of air and sea ambulances, and why the unit in question appeared operational.

Pastor explained they put a rental costing of sea ambulance with an estimated rate of between P50,000 and P55,000 per day. He expounded that the Province was granted 50 hours of test usage, prompting them to use the vessel for transporting medicines to the island municipalities, reportedly sailing from the Mactan Wharf to Poro in Camotes.

Rodas noted further that the Province had neither rented nor officially acquired the vessel and that its posting online was not meant to imply ownership.

Martinez, who commented on his post, warned that procurement shortcuts cannot be justified even in urgent situations. He stated that government purchases must begin with appropriations approved by the SP and must undergo competitive bidding, as required by the New Government Procurement Act (RA 12009).

 “If we are truly convinced that the purchase of the ?25-million speedboat has complied with all legal requirements, then all 20 members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will review the documents and approve them accordingly,” Martinez said.

Meanwhile, Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces later confirmed that procurement has been held back pending Malacañang’s go-signal.

Empaces said that, under procurement protocol, the Province must first obtain approval from the Office of the President before acquiring large assets like sea ambulances.

He added that the Capitol’s posts were part of a “market validation” exercise to assess capability, feasibility, and design options before the regular bidding process begins.

Empaces stressed that suppliers routinely provide prototype designs and test units to local governments before formal procurement procedures.

He also disclosed that Japan has signaled a potential donation that could support the Province’s sea ambulance needs. “There’s a budget that can be used not necessarily from the regular appropriations,” Empaces said, noting that funding may not ultimately come from the P25-million proposed allocation.

The sea ambulance budget currently sits under the preparedness fund of PDRRMO, but Empaces said it may be reassigned if the Province receives external funding.

He also hinted at a strong possibility that the Office of the President may donate transport vehicles, including sea ambulances, to support island communities. (CEBU NEWS)