ILOILO City – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is not about gambling; it is more on charity, stressed General Manager Royina Garma.
From P400,000 daily, the medical assistance fund of PCSO in its Iloilo branch has doubled, according to Garma who visited the branch late last year.
“Umaabot na po ng P800,000 per day ang financial assistance na dine-dispose ng PCSO sa mga nangangailangan ng medical (assistance), kasama na po dito ‘yung fordialysis and chemotherapy,” said Garma.
The reasons for increase were the unclaimed prizes of various PCSO games. These were being reverted to the agency’s charity fund.
“We were able to account all the unclaimed prizes. Pag-one year unclaimed ang prizes, charity na ‘yan,” said Garma.
Aside from Iloilo province, Garma said, PCSO also increased its medical assistance fund in other provinces and cities, with some enjoying almost a hundred percent increase.
“This will widen the number of PCSO beneficiaries,” said Garma.
She urged the public to continue patronizing PCSO products so that more funds could be allotted to its medical assistance program.
“As we continuously work with compassion and dedication in improving the lives of our countrymen, we encourage you to give to PCSO, by supporting and patronizing our products,” Garma stressed.
With a bet of P10 or P24, one does not only get a shot at becoming a millionaire, he also does charity work through the programs and services of PCSO, she said.
During her visit here, Garma also turned over to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 6 checks totalling P58.1 million as mandatory contribution to the government agency tasked to promote relevant and quality higher education and ensure access to quality higher education.
The amount would go to CHED’s Higher Education Development Fund.
“Gagamitin po nila ito sa health programs ng CHED and other programs that would improve the education quality of higher education institutions,” said Garma./PN
