BASCO, BATANES — The PCSO will soon introduce a landing craft vessel (LCV) in Batanes, designed to improve patient transport between the province’s island municipalities. The deployment later this year supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to make healthcare more accessible to all.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles described the vessel as a “mini RORO,” allowing ambulances to board directly. This feature ensures patients remain in the ambulance throughout the journey, reducing delays and minimizing transfers.
The LCV will serve routes connecting Basco, Sabtang, and other island communities, transporting patients, responders, and essential medical supplies efficiently. “It’s a door-to-door medical service, bringing care directly to those in need,” Robles said.
The initiative targets mobility challenges in remote areas, where sea conditions and limited transport options often delay access to healthcare. It complements PCSO’s existing land-based patient transport services. A recent medical mission in Sabtang and Basco, offering free consultations and AI-powered X-ray screenings, underscored the critical need for reliable inter-island patient transport. Local leaders welcomed the project, noting its significance for Batanes’ population of roughly 18,000.
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