In conclusion of the week-long programs for Basic First Aid and Life Support Training, Visual Screening, and Ford Driving Skills, Mayor WES Gatchalian and Councilor Sel Sabino-Sy in partnership with Ford Motors Company led the awarding of the certificates to the ambulance drivers, rescue personnel, and police officers who participated and successfully finished the training, held at Club House, Barangay Canumay West, March 11.

Prior to the awarding of certificates, there were approximately 170 drivers from 33 barangays who underwent a two-day training on providing first aid. They were divided into three groups for the convenience of venue accommodation – Batch 1 (March 3 and 4); Batch 2 (March 6 and 7); Batch 3 (March 3 and 9).

Their training includes basic knowledge in responding to each patient they take in the emergency vehicle. The goal of the local government is to produce ambulance drivers who are not only knowledgeable in driving but also be equipped with the medical needs of their future patients. As part of the campaign for safe driving, some optometrists from Valenzuela City joined in and led the checking of their eye conditions. They went through a series of vision examinations to check whether their vision meet the standards to drive the ambulance safely. 

In addition, the drivers were personally trained by Ford Motors professionals. They were able to test their skills in speed driving, parking the vehicle, and running through obstacles. Moreover, a refresher course was also conducted which includes lectures for basic knowledge on vehicle engines, proper driving ethics, and road reminders for safe driving. 

In his remarks during the event, Mayor WES reiterated how valuable are the emergency vehicles in the city. He said, “Parami po nang parami ang ating assets [gaya ng ambulansya] dito sa Valenzuela. At ang number one po na [asset] na gamit na gamit natin ay ang ambulansya. Totoo iyan… Kung meron po tayong ire-rate na gamit na gamit na government vehicle, tiyak po ako na ang lalabas sa survey ay ang ambulansya. Ito po, umaga hanggang gabi, wala pong pahinga, 24/7. Mapa-ospital man o maghahatid ng senior citizen, alam niyo naman pong nirerequest ‘yan ng ating mga kabaranggay.” (We have more and more assets [such as an ambulance] here in Valenzuela. And the number one [asset] that we use is the ambulance. That's true... If we are to rate the most used government vehicle, I'm sure that the one that will appear in the survey is the ambulance. It operates and doesn’t rest for 24 hours. Whether it's going to the hospital or transporting a senior citizen, you know that our people request that.)

Meanwhile, Mayor WES also had a short presentation during the ceremony where he discussed and addressed some of the complaints of the citizens of Valenzuela regarding the ambulance service and its drivers. Some of the aforementioned problems are the sluggish response of the ambulance, rude drivers, irresponsible use of the siren to pass the traffic even when there is no patient on board, drivers charging for their service, and often unavailability of the barangay ambulances. In this regard, such problems were addressed by Mayor WES so that they will not become a bigger problem if not taken care of. He reminded the newly trained drivers to always keep public service in mind, especially since patients are their cargo and human lives are what they are driving.

Joining the culminating activity were former Councilor Tyson Sy, Councilor Jonjon Bartolome, and some Punong Barangay across the city.

###