LG Turns over ₱1.6-Million Ambulance to Barangay Galalan in Laguna

LG Electronics Philippines has turned over a ₱1.6-million ambulance to Barangay Galalan in Pangil, Laguna, providing dedicated emergency transport for a mountain community that previously relied on available private and barangay vehicles.

The turnover took place on September 22 at LG Electronics Philippines headquarters. Called “Life Saver on Wheels,” the project was selected as a winning entry in the 2026 LG Ambassador Challenge, which focused on medical aid and education, particularly maternal and child welfare.

Addressing a Longstanding Transport Gap

Pastor Ramil B. Repolido, the project’s co-proponent and ambulance manager, said the barangay is roughly 20 kilometers from the nearest hospital. Residents had relied on motorcycles, cars, bicycles, and even a garbage truck to transport patients.

Access remains especially difficult in Sitio Gisgis, one of Galalan’s farthest communities. Repolido described a 45-minute to one-hour walk along a trail before patients can reach a road. Residents use a duyan, or hammock-like sling, to carry patients toward the barangay center, where a vehicle can take over.

The ambulance addresses the road transport portion of that journey. Patients in areas without road access still need assistance reaching a vehicle pickup point.

Managed by the Community

The ambulance will be stationed at the barangay hall under Repolido’s oversight. A driver from the barangay health office will support operations, with the Rural Health Center providing coordination for first-aid response.

The barangay also plans to establish an accessible parking area to help dispatch the vehicle quickly when emergency calls arrive.

Felix Arbol Jr., a Barangay Council member and church elder who supported the proposal, said the community identified reliable ambulance access as a priority.

Support for Long-Term Community Needs

LG Electronics Philippines Managing Director Nakhyun Seong said the project addresses an enduring need.

“If you want to support a long-term cause, an ambulance is exactly that. Emergency response is something a community needs for the long run, and that’s a priority for LG,” he said.

LG has supported community-proposed Ambassador Challenge projects in the Philippines since 2019. Seong said the company’s future community-support priorities will continue to focus on children, education, and healthcare.