Emergency and patient transport services across 16 provincial and district hospitals in Cebu are experiencing significant delays. This critical situation, caused by a severe shortage of ambulance drivers, has prompted immediate action from the Cebu Provincial Government to find a solution.
Hospital Chiefs Raise Alarm at Health Board Meeting
The issue was formally reported during the fourth Provincial Health Board meeting held on December 3, 2025. Hospital administrators informed Governor Pamela Baricuatro that limited staffing was hindering their ability to respond promptly to emergencies. The problem is especially acute when all available drivers are deployed to Cebu City to transfer patients to tertiary care facilities.
Revealing Numbers and a Promised Budget
An inventory presented at the meeting laid bare the scale of the problem. Provincial hospitals operate with an average of just five ambulance drivers each, while district hospitals are managing with only three to four drivers. Hospital chiefs emphasized that this number is insufficient, particularly for serving remote areas.
In response, Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas assured administrators that funds have already been allocated to create additional ambulance driver positions. He stated that hospitals can now request extra personnel through a special request to the Office of the Governor.
Strengthening Services Across the Province
The Capitol is now actively exploring ways to reinforce ambulance services for the affected facilities, which include four provincial and twelve district hospitals. The move aims to build a more resilient emergency response system for the people of Cebu, ensuring that critical medical transport is available when it is needed most.
