PCSO to build new center in Manila

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is set to build its own corporate center in San Marcelino, Manila to decongest its satellite office at the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), which caters to about 700 patients each day.

PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said the agency hopes to start construction next year and would conduct bidding for it.

“Let’s add five to six more [PCSO] branches. We will continue to help our indigent patients nationwide. We shall maintain the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP), though the Universal Healthcare (UHC) already exists. PCSO will help the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to look for funds,” Balutan said.

The PCSO Satellite Office at the LCP shall be transferred to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Balutan dispelled rumors that the PCSO would stop giving medical assistance once the UHC law had been fully implemented.

Balutan said the agency was set to give 40 percent from the 30 percent of the Charity Fund, which was about P8 billion for UHC in the third quarter this year.

UHC aims to catalyze reforms for the health care system in the Philippines, particularly strengthening primary care services, through PhilHealth.

It will also ensure adequate funding through the Department of Health annual budget, revenues from sin taxes, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, PCSO, and PhilHealth members’ contribution.

The PCSO Charter provides that 55 percent of its revenues would be allocated for the prize fund (payment of prizes), 30 percent for charity fund and 15 percent as operating fund.

In 2018, the agency generated P63.55 billion, a 20-percent increase from its revenue in 2017. The agency helped 528,190 patients, spending about P8,682,919,581.50.