PCSO sees more growth, employment support

MANILA, Philippines - Institutional reforms at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) are designed to transform the agency into a truly responsive, relevant, and efficient welfare arm of the government for the poor.

This was stressed by PCSO chairperson Margie Juico following the agency’s banner sales performance for the first quarter which registered a 12.21 percent sales growth over the same period last year. The growth is equivalent to P829.375 million.

“We beat the odds. Strong public confidence is back,” Juico said.

Also baring the agency’s P688.868 million record savings as a result of strict fiscal discipline and control, Juico said that both earnings and savings are being maximized to benefit the health needs of the poor and support of worthwhile community projects.

The PCSO chairman sees more growth opportunities ahead. “For this purpose, we have mapped out plans to harness these growth areas and maximize our quality service.”

The PCSO Loterya ng Bayan will be operational shortly. STL revenues increased by P1.4-billion compared to first quarter of 2010 or 93.4 percent significant increase. “We expect a further windfall of revenues derived from the processing fee to the authority fee to the presumptive monthly revenue receipts. We also expect to generate 100 percent additional employment opportunities or from 100,000 to 200,000 employment. These added revenues will help us expand our other services,” Juico said.

According to her, the new board has prioritized allocation of ambulance to fourth, fifth and sixth class municipalities under the 100 percent ambulance donation program. Poverty Mapping and Procedure has been adopted in the distribution of ambulance units and medical assistance to hospital/health units.

The PCSO has signed a memorandum of agreement with the East Ave. Medical Center for the establishment of the Tahan Tahanan Center, a haven for kids with cancer at the hospital’s lower ground. It has also inked an agreement with the Medical City for the pediatric liver transplant in the country.

“We are also planning to acquire sea ambulance units for distribution to far-flung islands to meet the emergency demands during the typhoon season,” Juico added.