‘WE WILL NOT BOW TO CYNICISM’: Pam defends use of sea ambulance

Local

CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro defended the provincial government’s use of a sea ambulance, amid criticism that the vessel has not yet been formally procured.

In a social media post on Saturday, Nov. 29, Baricuatro stressed that the unit is a “prototype, a test model from a trusted supplier, being tested while we await clearance from the President to proceed.”

She said the initiative aims to save lives in island communities, especially when land routes are inaccessible during calamities.

“If this prototype saves even one mother in labor, one fisherman at sea, or one child in distress, it has served its purpose. We will not bow to cynicism. We will stay accountable,” she added.

During the Nov. 25 Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) budget deliberations, officials clarified that the sea ambulance has not been purchased or formally rented.

Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas told the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) that there is “no contract whatsoever” with the supplier, Dynacast.

He explained that the “Province of Cebu” logo on the vessel was part of the supplier’s marketing presentation to illustrate what the ambulance could look like if purchased.

Rodas likened the process to “test-driving a vehicle before entering a formal procurement process.”

PDRRMO head Dennis Pastor said the vessel was used to deliver medicines to Camotes Island as part of a 50-hour trial.

The sea ambulance traveled from Mactan Wharf to Poro in

approximately one hour and five minutes at a speed of 20 knots.

Pastor said that if the unit were formally rented, the estimated daily rate would be between P50,000 and P55,000.

Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III questioned why the unprocured ambulance was already operational and sought clarity on the P25-million allocation for air and sea ambulance rentals.

He emphasized that government purchases must follow competitive bidding and proper appropriations under the New Government Procurement Act (RA 12009).

“If we are truly convinced that the purchase of the P25-million speedboat has complied with all legal requirements, then all 20 members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will review the documents and approve them accordingly,” Martinez said.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said procurement has been delayed pending approval from the Office of the President.

He described the sea ambulance test as part of a “market validation” to assess the vessel’s capability, feasibility, and design options.

Empaces noted that suppliers routinely provide prototype units and designs to local governments before formal procurement.

He also revealed that Japan has indicated a potential donation to support Cebu’s sea ambulance needs, which may reduce reliance on the proposed P25-million budget.

The sea ambulance aims to improve emergency response in Cebu’s island towns, offering faster triage, quicker transport, and access where land routes are blocked.(MyTVCebu)