Disaster chief: More ambulances needed

CEBU, Philippines – The request of Mandaue City's disaster body for the procurement of three additional ambulances has yet to receive feedback from concerned city officials.

Felix Suico, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the city only has one ambulance at the moment because the other one that they used to have was already busted after it figured in an accident years ago.

In July last year, Suico requested for three additional ambulances from the Bids and Awards Committee but he said they have not heard response from them until now.

"With three extra ambulances, ato gyud ma-respond ang mga emergency needs. Mandaue is lacking of transportation services with regard to emergency medical services," Suico said.

Suico added that Mandaue City's command center receives an average of 17 to 25 emergency calls daily which require the response of ambulances. Because of the dearth of vehicle for medical purposes, these emergency calls are being responded to by mini-ambulances in the barangays.

Suico shared it has been their practice to seek help from other barangays such as Tipolo and Paknaan or from the City Health Office when there arises a need for emergency response.

The command center is being operated by the CDRRMO.

At present, the city's only ambulance is on stand-by at the Basak Fire Sub-station.

Suico said once the three ambulances that he requested will arrive, one will be stationed in Barangay Subangdaku, one in Acert and another one will be on stand-by at their command center.

"The mayor suggested nga we purchase three ambulances this semester and by the next semester, we can purchase additional two," Suico said.

He said if this will materialize, the vehicles will be stationed in five barangays in the city.

"We will be helping our sub-station in Maguikay and also Umapad," Suico added.