The Provincial Government of Cavite recently led a major blessing and turnover ceremony for 31 brand-new ambulances, which were distributed to various barangays in Dasmariñas City, strengthening emergency medical response and public health services across local communities.
A Major Boost for Barangay-Level Emergency Services
The blessing and turnover ceremony held on June 16, 2026, at the City of Dasmariñas Arena Parking Grounds marked a significant step forward in Cavite's healthcare infrastructure. The initiative, led by the Provincial Government of Cavite in partnership with the City Government of Dasmariñas, distributed 31 new ambulances to different barangays across the city, equipping them to respond more swiftly and effectively to medical emergencies. Governor Abeng Remulla and Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga led the event, which highlights the provincial government's commitment to improving local healthcare access and public safety.
This initiative follows a similar event in September 2017 when then-Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla assured the province's cities and municipalities of sufficient emergency vehicles to boost response efforts, particularly during disasters and calamities. The 31 ambulances turned over to Dasmariñas barangays represent a significant upgrade in local emergency preparedness, ensuring that residents in even the most remote parts of the city have timely access to pre-hospital care and transport to medical facilities.
Ambulance Services Now Covered by PhilHealth
The new ambulances arrive at a time when emergency medical services are more accessible than ever through PhilHealth's Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB): Prehospital Emergency package. This benefit covers land ambulance services, providing financial risk protection for Filipinos requiring emergency care prior to arrival or during transport to a hospital . The ambulance service packages range from Basic Life Support at PHP4,100 to Advanced Life Support at PHP4,600, and Physician-managed Advanced Life Support at PHP6,100 . A separate coverage for maintenance and fuel costs is also provided, with rates ranging from PHP250 for the first five kilometers to PHP1,250 for distances exceeding 20 kilometers .
To avail of this benefit, patients must be assessed and certified by an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) using a primary survey and field triage, categorized as Expectant, Immediate, or Delayed . The benefit facilitates the transport of patients and is equipped to deliver emergency medical interventions and life-saving measures to support and ensure patient stability during transit . With 31 new ambulances now stationed across Dasmariñas barangays, more communities will have direct access to vehicles eligible for PhilHealth ambulance service claims, further reducing the financial burden on families during emergencies.
