PCSO ready to provide medical assistance

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) assured the people that the agency is ready to provide funds for medical assistance in local communities that could be affected by earthquakes, typhoons or other natural calamities.

PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II said the PCSO board headed by chairman Margie Juico would allocate funds for the purchase of medicines during natural disasters.

“PCSO mandate includes community outreach programs that involve the conduct of medical and dental mission in depressed areas outside Metro Manila, we can also do this in times of natural calamities,” he said.

Rojas said the PCSO outpatient clinic renders services daily to thousands of patients seeking medical and dental assistance.

He said the PCSO has adequate funds for disaster and relief operations particularly now that the agency’s online lottery draws have increased sales from P23.4 billion in 2009 to P27 billion in 2010 or an increase of more that P3 billion.

Arnel Casas, PCSO operations officer, said the P27 billion was the biggest since the online lotto was launched in 1995.

He said the record sale was triggered by the lotto fever generated by the 6/55 Super Lotto jackpot which for nine months steadily rose from P30 million to P741 million last year. A balikbayan from the US won the jackpot game.