ASIDE from police patrol cars, the Provincial Government will also no longer recall ambulances assigned to provincial and district hospitals.
The development was confirmed by Gov. Gwen Garcia in an interview on Friday, July 5, 2019.
“Atong gi-retain tanan ambulances nga naa sa hospitals (We’ve retained all ambulance assigned in the hospitals). They do not need to be recalled. Ang kato rang gi-issue sa mga munisipyo ang atong gipang-recall (We only recalled those issued to municipalities),” she told reporters.
The governor issued Memorandum Circular 2-2019 last June 30, instructing the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) to immediately recall all Province-owned vehicles and equipment assigned through memorandum receipts to different local government units and offices.
Earlier, Garcia said she would not recall the patrol cars so the day-to-day operations of the Cebu Police Provincial Office would not be hampered.
As this developed, Garcia issued Memorandum Circular 10-2019 last July 5, informing the PGSO and all chiefs of hospitals that ambulances directly assigned under memorandum receipts to district and provincial hospitals may remain in their locations.
Provided, though, that these are used “solely” for emergency purposes.
In the same memorandum, the governor also reminded chiefs of hospitals that patients will not be charged for ambulance use.
“All chiefs of hospitals and medical staff are reminded to strictly refrain from collecting any payment (or donation) for ambulance services,” wrote Garcia.
Patients or clients who will be asked to pay for ambulance services may report directly to the Office of the Governor, provided that the complainant can provide all the necessary information needed for an investigation.
“Diritso diri nako. Taga-i lang pud mi og specifics, dili kay magsige og reklamo unya way pangan, way adlaw. Unsaon man nato og verify ana? (Report directly to me. But be sure to give us the specifics, not just a mere complaint without a name or date. Otherwise, how can we verify it?)” Garcia said. (RTF)