President Rodrigo Duterte considers giving escorts for ambulances transporting patients to the hospital.
Duterted said that transport authorities and police who are experts in handling severe traffic jams in Metro Manila would serve as the ambulances’ escorts.
“Maybe, maybe I will ask all itong — lahat na — Metro Manila, Highway Patrol (Group). ‘Pag may emergency, huwag lang ‘yang emergency na nagmamadali ito,” President Duterte said.
President Duterte’s statement was a response to the Agence France-Presse news release that many patients die on their way to the hospital.
Duterte also wanted the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to push vehicles aside and make way for ambulances during heavy traffic.
Giving escorts to ambulances mandatory work
“Hilain nila. Itabi nila para makalusot, and maybe that would be a mandatory work for them. Course ko kay MMDA Chairman Danny Lim and itong hagad sa pulis. Must — must hila. Duty-bound to hila,” Duterte said.
(They should pull it. They push vehicles aside and let the ambulance pass, that would be a mandatory work for them. That’s my course to MMDA Chairman Danny Lim and HPG. Must pull. They must pull.)
Meanwhile, the President warned those who will use escorts outside a medical emergency that they might get caught and punished.
“Itong minsan ‘yung iba nagsasakay ng ano, maski walang emergency nagsa-siren. Ah ‘pag ganun, huli talaga,” Duterte added.
(Sometimes some use sirens even if it is not an emergency. Those will be caught.)
The President admitted that he could not save EDSA from its heavy traffic even before the end of his term in 2022.