EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES. Several of the 108 emergency response vehicles that BARMM distributed to local government units and hospitals in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Cotabato City and the region’s Special Geographic Area on Tuesday (Dec. 16, 2025). The distribution of the vehicles aims to further strengthen emergency response across the region. (Photo courtesy of MOH-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY – Local government units (LGUs) and hospitals in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) received a total of 28 cadaver and patient transport vehicles along with 80 rescue vehicles on Tuesday to improve emergency and disaster response.
In a statement on Wednesday, BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, who led the turnover ceremonies, stressed the need for the regional government to act swiftly during disasters to save Bangsamoro lives.
“By handing over these vehicles to Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Cotabato City, we improve the LGUs’ ability to respond promptly,” Macacua said.
“Emergencies don’t wait, and the government must respond quickly. These vehicles bridge the gap between a call for help and effective action,” he added.
He reminded regional government workers that it is their responsibility to ensure government services are efficient, prompt and timely for all constituents.
“In times of disasters, the Bangsamoro government does not explain; instead, it acts swiftly,” Macacua said.
The 28 transport vehicles were funded through the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) by Members of Parliament (MPs) Romeo K. Sema, Mohammad Kelie U. Antao, Ibrahim P. Ibay, Tawakal B. Midtimbang, Amenodin U. Sumagayan and Zaakaria A. Rakim.
Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding Jr., the BARMM health minister, said the transport vehicle project aims to provide quicker and more effective responses during emergencies in the communities.
“We always look forward to a healthy and happy Bangsamoro region,” he said during a radio interview on Wednesday.
Thirteen emergency transport vehicles (ETVs) under the TDIF of Sema were handed over to various barangays in Cotabato City, including two for Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital, Notre Dame Hospital and Sienna College of Cotabato, Inc.
Ibay, on the other hand, funded five ETVs under his TDIF for the towns of Parang, Sultan Mastura, Matanog, Buldon and Barira in Maguindanao del Norte.
Furthermore, Midtimbang provided funding for four ETVs for the barangays of Poblacion and South Binangga in Talayan town, as well as for the villages of Lambayao and Datalpandan in Guindulungan municipality.
For the BARMM’s Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato, Antao funded an ETV for the Rural Health Unit of Libungan.
For Lanao del Sur province, Sumagayan funded three ETVs for the RHUs of Mulondo, Lumba Bayabao and Tamparan, while Rakim supported two ETVs for the Provincial Health Office and Marawi City Health Office.
Also on Tuesday, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, under its Community Reconstruction and Development Program to Assist Local Government Units, officially turned over 200 units of rescue vehicles to various LGUs in the region. (PNA)