Mayor Tomas Osmeña also approved earlier the move of the council in utilizing part of Pagcor funds given to the city government to serve the needs of the indigents.
Councilor Gerry Carillo, who sponsored the resolution, said the present monthly fund for this kind of assistance is no longer sufficient to accommodate the needs of the rising number of indigents.
"Lately there has been an increasing number of requests for burial and medical assistance," said Carillo, prompting him to source from Pagcor funds the needed money.
There are thousands at present on the waiting list, from both the north and south districts, hoping for assistance and city social welfare officer Cathy Yso said the latest council allocation would be distributed to these people.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office allocates to local government units a five percent share from the total sales of online lottery outlets operating within their jurisdiction, including revenues from documentary stamp taxes.
Cebu City, for its part, gets about P1.3 million twice a year, depending on sales of the online lottery.
The PCSO charity funds have been used for free medical services to the poor, community outreach programs and donation of ambulances.
Under the Pagcor guidelines, LGUs are also allowed to allocate the PCSO charity funds for projects, such as burial and medical aid to indigents, "that will achieve social amelioration among the less privileged." - Garry B. Lao