In defense of PCSO

I chanced upon the column of Ana Marie Pamintuan last July 21, 2010 entitled “Grease” who wrote a mouthful of inaccuracies about the PCSO. I refuse to argue with her for she might lose her voice altogether and just decided to write and set the record straight instead.

Whoever is feeding her wrong information must have his or her mind examined. This is what happens when there is no orderly transition in a government agency. Confusion arises. Intrigues predominate.

It is not my task to answer for and on behalf of the PCSO as I was only one of its directors for the past seven years this second time around. My first tour of duty was for almost five years, as Chairman under President Ramos’ administration.

Having been one of five members of the PCSO board of directors in the past administration, I believe I know more than what Ana Marie Pamintuan is being told.

 For lack of space, I will dissect Ms. Pamintuan’s article in my column in the People’s Journal. 

Let me inform the uninformed that out of 8,000 requests for ambulances, the PCSO was only able to acquire 1,729 units out of which 1,339 units have been delivered to beneficiaries, and 388 are awaiting completion of documents and/or payment of counterpart share (for cost-sharing scheme).

Poor municipalities receive their ambulances completely free. For towns and cities that can afford, we have the 60/40 arrangement for they are well-off enough, just like the congressmen and senators. Their share that we get in return is poured in again to buy more units.

 As an example, for the various districts and municipalities in Albay, Gov. Joey Salceda got ten units at the 60/40 payment scheme. Isn’t he a member of the Liberal Party now? Notwithstanding his political turnaround, PCSO did not ask him to return his units.

What’s the big fuss? Ambulances are awarded based on the size of the population and are awarded for the people, not for the governors and/or politicians.

How I wish the governors would find themselves in it being taken to a hospital. They will be thankful to the PCSO for arriving alive instead of dead on arrival.

Dear God, what a sick society we have. That is why we need more ambulances.

Maybe the media need some too. Just ask and you shall receive from Margie Juico.