Cebu's Sea Ambulance: Prototype, Not Purchase, Says Governor
Governor Pamela Baricuatro has officially clarified that the sea ambulance featured in recent provincial medical missions is merely a prototype undergoing testing and has not been acquired by the Cebu Provincial Government. The governor issued this statement on her Facebook page on Saturday, November 29, 2025, in response to inquiries that emerged during a recent budget hearing.
Budget Deliberation Sparks Clarification
The need for clarification arose during the November 25 budget deliberation for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). During the session, officials confirmed that the vessel, which had been showcased on the Capitol's official social media as its "first-ever sea ambulance," was, in fact, not yet procured. This revelation prompted Governor Baricuatro to address what she termed as "detractors making a big fuss."
In her post, the governor was unequivocal: "To those detractors making a big fuss about the sea ambulance, let me be clear — this is a PROTOTYPE, a test model from a trusted supplier, being tested while we await clearance from the President to proceed." She emphasized that the Province is still waiting for the necessary clearance from the Office of the President before any formal procurement process for the sea ambulances can move forward.
Aiming for Faster Emergency Response
Baricuatro defended the use and promotion of the prototype, stating it was not an act of deception but a deliberate strategy to accelerate the delivery of critical services. She highlighted Cebu's unique geography, comprising numerous islands, where sea-based emergency response is crucial, especially during calamities that disrupt land access.
"Timely aid at sea has been a gap, and this initiative aims to close it — faster triage, quicker transport, real help where it’s needed most," she added. The governor assured the public of "due process, transparency and accountability," promising that updates on the proposal would be released in strict accordance with procurement rules. The budget proposal in question seeks a P50-million allocation for two sea ambulances.
Lawmaker Assures Questions Were for Transparency
In a related development, Provincial Board (PB) Member Celestino 'Tining' Martinez responded to the governor's statement in a separate Facebook post. Martinez clarified that his questions during the budget deliberations were not intended as criticism of the governor's leadership or the proposed funding.
"My questions were not meant to convey cynicism toward your administration or undermine your leadership in any manner," Martinez stated. He explained that his inquiry was necessary for transparency, especially since the Capitol had previously posted about the vessel as its own, and the budget proposal sought approval to tap P524 million from the PDRRM trust fund.
Martinez pointed out that the Provincial Board cannot approve the use of a prototype after the fact and noted that sea ambulances are not novel inventions, citing a similar, lower-cost proposal from the term of former governor Hilario Davide III. He expressed hope that the PB would not be viewed as a hindrance but as a partner in governance, aligning with the shared goal of serving the best interests of the people of Cebu.
