For 71 years of Occidental Mindoro’s existence, no governor, or local official for that matter was able to come up with an idea of acquiring a boat of this kind for the geographically isolated islands in the province, to provide first response emergency assistance and services to areas that are remote surrounded by or those can speedily be accessed through a body of water.
Only Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano prioritized and realized the importance of such a life-saving vehicle. The words “sea ambulances” are emblazoned in their hulls but they are technically rescue or first responder boats or patient transport water vehicles. Four vehicles of this kind were recently purchased by the provincial government for such purposes including other health issues related to the pandemic.
The vehicles are placed under the management and supervision of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). According to June Lee, the governor’s executive assistant for SAMARICA Area, the boats were dispersed in the municipalities of San Jose, Looc, Lubang, and Abra De Ilog-Paluan. These municipalities have coastal communities that cannot easily be reached by conventional ground vehicles. They will operate on a 24/7 basis and are part of the emergency response unit of the PDRRMO. This is part of the fulfillment of Gadiano’s campaign promise to the people when he runs for governor barely three years ago. (Well, this is practical, cheaper, and more real than helicopters.)
“For many years, the residents of Iling and Ambulong islands here in San Jose, have needed access to such life-saving transportation. It is the answer and the fast way to deliver and transport patients to San Jose District Hospital (SJDH) and any other health facilities or hospitals on the mainland. This can also deliver an effective rescue vessel and can act as a temporary sea clinic that can provide an immediate medical response to victims in need of emergency care,” Lee emphasized. Although far to be compared to medically fully-equipped sea ambulances in other countries, in each unit there is first aid equipment along with ventilator and airway management apparatus aboard.
One of Gadiano’s trademarks as a chief executive is his enthusiasm for rendering basic health services. Admittedly, there are still things to be improved in this aspect as a rookie governor overseeing the province’s general health program.
In other developments, there is a massive vaccination program continuously rolled out by the PGO. In the recently-concluded 3-day National Vaccination Drive in the province, the Occidental Mindoro PHO reported that a total of 62,209 persons were jabbed hitting the total target of 54,000 individuals and acquiring the Total Percentage Success Rate of 115.20%.
Gov. Ed believes that quality basic social services truly empower the people to greater productivity that would result in a better quality of life. His health program can be summed up by the following these strategies: bring the government closer to the people, have a firm grasp and mutual definition of their current needs, and establish unparalleled cooperation among duty-bearers and right-holders and all the stakeholders in the health sector.
Visionary and always inspired (hence his “Ganado” moniker) Gov. Ed believes that the right to health and safety are two of the most important frontline services that one could offer to his or her constituents.
Politics is analogous to a sea ambulance for it delivers those who struggle to live and it carries the weak and almost hopeless people even if it travels on hostile water.
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(Photo: Jasper H. Francisco)
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