Residents of Barangay Galalan in Pangil, Laguna, now have a dedicated ambulance after LG Electronics Philippines turned over a ₱1.6-million emergency vehicle to the community on September 22.
The donation, called “Life Saver on Wheels,” was selected under the 2026 LG Ambassador Challenge, which supports community-led projects focused on healthcare, education, and maternal and child welfare.
The ambulance will be stationed at the barangay hall and managed locally, with support from the barangay health office and Rural Health Center.
Remote residents previously relied on improvised transport
Before the donation, residents had to rely on motorcycles, private vehicles, bicycles, and other available forms of transport to bring sick or injured people to medical facilities. Some residents in remote areas also had to be carried along walking trails before reaching a road.
Pastor Ramil B. Repolido, the project’s co-proposer and designated ambulance manager, said Sitio Gisgis is among the farthest communities in Galalan. Residents there may need to carry patients for 45 minutes to an hour along a trail before reaching the barangay center, sometimes using a duyan or traditional sling.
Repolido also said the barangay is about 20 kilometers from the nearest hospital and previously lacked regular ambulance trips.
Felix Arbol Jr., a Barangay Council member and church elder who supported the proposal, said access to an ambulance was an immediate need for the community. He added that the barangay is prepared to deploy the vehicle for emergencies.
Barangay to manage ambulance operations
Repolido will oversee the ambulance, while a driver from the barangay health office will handle transport. The Rural Health Center will help coordinate first-aid response.
The barangay is also planning a dedicated parking area designed to make the vehicle easier to deploy when emergency calls come in.
The new ambulance is intended to improve emergency transport for Galalan residents, particularly those who face difficulties reaching medical facilities from more remote communities.
LG Ambassador Challenge backs community-led projects
LG Electronics Philippines Managing Director Nakhyun Seong said the donation reflects the company’s support for projects proposed by local communities through the LG Ambassador Challenge, which LG said it has supported in the Philippines since 2019.
“Moving forward, our priorities remain children, education, and healthcare,” Seong said.
LG added that it hopes the ambulance will also benefit neighboring communities facing similar gaps in emergency care.
For Galalan, the project provides a dedicated vehicle for emergency transport, with local management and health-center coordination intended to support its use in the community.
