CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Wednesday celebrated its 86th anniversary by distributing gift packs to 176 families living in one of the poorest areas in Bacolor town.
Odette Soliman, PCSO-Pampanga branch manager led the gift-giving activity in Barangay Maliwalu through its “Paglingap sa Kapwa sa Panahon ng Pandemya Project.’’ She was assisted by the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) headed by Elizabeth Baybayan.
Each beneficiary received food packs consisting of 5 kilos of rice, canned goods, and face masks.
Giving of gifts was the highlight of the agency’s anniversary celebration this year, which aims to make a real difference in the lives of those less fortunate in the community during these cautious times.
“Sa aming 86th anniversary ngayon, eto po ang naisip ng aming opisina that instead of celebrating with the employees, we spend it through gift-giving kaya nag-identify po tayo ng mga areas or barangays na pwede kami mabigay ng tulong. Eto po ang naisip naming gawin bilang balik na rin sa lahat ng tulong at suporta ng tao sa PCSO lalo sa panahon ngayon,’’ Soliman said.
According to her, the beneficiaries earn a living by waste picking or recovering and selling scrap or recycled materials. They were identified through the help of the PSWDO in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and the Provincial Government led by Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda.
Aside from Bacolor, she said that 50 more families in San Gabriel, Macabebe will also get to benefit from the gift-giving activity that will be set on a different date.
PCSO beneficiary Teresita Capinig said that agencies like PCSO gave a new meaning to their lives in this time of pandemic. “Nagpapasalamat po kami ng lubos-lubos sa PCSO dahil hindi nila kami pinabayaan sa panahon ng pandemya. Ako po ay isang nangangalakal lamang. Itong binigay nila ay maagang pamasko na sa amin.’’
Atty. Marissa Medrano, PCSO department manager Northern-Central Luzon, meanwhile, encouraged the public to support and participate in number games to sustain the agency’s commitment to give back to people.
