The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) continues to live out the spirit of bayanihan as its Aid Caravan reached the province of Masbate on Monday, October 6, bringing much-needed relief and medical support to communities still recovering from the devastation of Typhoon Opong.
The aid caravan, which departed from Metro Manila on October 5, in partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), delivered six PCSO wing vans loaded with Charitimba and one Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV) to Masbate.
Each local government unit also received additional emergency lights and water containers to assist in their ongoing rehabilitation and disaster response operations.
The caravan reached a total of 21 localities across Masbate, including Masbate City, Aroroy, Baleno, Balud, Cataingan, Cawayan, Dimasalang, Esperanza, Mandaon, Milagros, Mobo, Palanas, Pio V. Corpuz, Placer, and Uson, as well as the island municipalities of San Jacinto, Batuan, Monreal, and San Fernando in Ticao Island, and Claveria and San Pascual in Burias Island.
“Kami po ngayon ay under the state of calamity kaya kami po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa PCSO. Hindi lamang po Charitimba ang aming natanggap, kundi very unexpected na kami po ay makatanggap din ng Patient Transport Vehicle galing po sa PCSO,” Mayor Kho said.
“Kami po ay napakaswerte kasi ang Patient Transport Vehicle po ay dinala personally dito po sa probinsya ng Masbate. Personally po ito nai-deliver sa amin ngayon pong kami ay under the state of Calamity. Ito po ay makakatulong sa amin lalong lalo na sa mga kababayan natin na nasa mga coastal barangays,” she said.
She also thanked PCSO for the Charitimba packs distributed to residents at the height of Typhoon Opong.
Residents from these areas expressed heartfelt gratitude as they received Charitimba packs and other essentials.
Many shared that the aid brought not just supplies but also renewed hope after weeks of uncertainty.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades A. Robles reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to being
present wherever Filipinos need assistance.
“Ang bayanihan ay hindi natatapos sa unang pag-abot ng tulong. Sa PCSO, naniniwala kami na ang tunay na malasakit ay ang patuloy na pagdamay—sa bawat komunidad, sa bawat Pilipinong nangangailangan. Nandito kami hindi lang para maghatid ng tulong, kundi para maghatid ng pag-asa,” Robles said.
Since the onslaught of Typhoon Opong, PCSO has remained among the first responders in the province, providing relief packs, medical kits, and assistance to affected families. The agency’s presence reflects its mission to bring hope and healing where they are needed most.
“Sa bawat paghahatid ng tulong, nawa po ay makapagdala rin kami ng pag-asa sa sambayanan. Ito ang diwa ng bayanihan na patuloy naming isinasabuhay,” Robles added.
