PCSO forfeits P100-M unclaimed lottery prizes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has reverted to the charity funds of the agency some P100 million in unclaimed prizes of its online lottery games, a top official of the agency said over the weekend.

This action was taken after the one-year period to claim the winnings expired.

Jose Ferdinand Rojas, PCSO general manager, told reporters during a news forum at Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City that the unclaimed winnings included both minor and major prizes of the 6/42 Lotto, 6/45 Mega Lotto, 6/49 Super Lotto and 6/55 Grand Lotto games.

Below P5,000 winnings can be claimed at lotto outlets while major prizes can be claimed in the PCSO’s Central office at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

Rojas said unclaimed prizes will form part of the charity fund that is being used to provide medical assistance to patients seeking treatment across the country.

He said an average of 1,000 patients receive the PCSO assistance daily.

The PCSO, which has set up a medical facility at the Lung Center of the Philippines, also increased the daily fund for medical assistance from P5 million to P11 million.

“The PCSO will set up satellite medical facilities in various parts of the country to reach out to patients needing medical assistance,” Rojas added.