NOTWITHSTANDING THE controversy it is mired in, not the least of which is the cancellation of its STL operations, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has not relented on its mission, aye, on its very essence for being – charity.
Only last Tuesday, hundreds of seekers of medical assistance and their kin swamped the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center to avail themselves of the PCSO’s.
Individual Medical Assistance Program.
“Through this program, beneficiaries will be provided with specific amount of financial assistance to help them pay their hospitalization, laboratories, dialysis, and chemotherapy bills depending on their needs,” said Marie Louise Serojales, consultant to the Offi ce of the PCSO general manager.
On record, PCSO has extended P1.27 billion in financial assistance to some 46,000 Capampangans to support their medical needs, including dialysis and chemotherapy from the time Gov. Lilia G. Pineda took office in 2010.
And will continue, as Serojales said: “Our direct health care services for the poor will still be available.”
Pampanga though has not been only at the receiving end of PCSO charity. In 2017, the provincial government extended P20 million for the construction of a building for the PCSO provincial office at the Government Center in Barangay Maimpis, City of San Fernando. Instead of braving the traffic and then the long lines at the PCSO office in Manila, the Capampangans were provided with ease and convenience in their home ground. Amor con amor se paga. Indeed, as the Nanay Gov said at the time, “what is P20 million we give back to the PCSO in return for the billions of pesos it provides for the health and wellbeing of the Capampangan?”
Luid ya ing PCSO!
