PCSO readies calamity aid to quake-hit areas

She said the PCSO is saddened by the casualties and damages to lives and properties brought about by the earthquake which hit the country on Monday. (Photo: Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office/ Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Tuesday said it is ready to provide assistance for the Luzon areas hit by Monday’s 6.1 magnitude earthquake.

“The PCSO, which is directly under the Office of the President, is ready to give assistance to affected Local Government Units and families through the Calamity Assistance Program. The program aims to augment the resources of the LGUs to provide financial assistance to individuals and families affected by natural and man-made calamities,” PCSO spokesperson Pilar Pinga Cruz said in a statement.

She said the PCSO is saddened by the casualties and damages to lives and properties brought about by the earthquake which hit the country on Monday.

Cruz said the LGUs are likewise eligible to seek assistance from PCSO in the event of affectation due to a calamity as the PCSO shall primarily provide augmentation through financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries, which may be utilized for food needs, feeding projects for displaced families in evacuation centers and temporary shelters and for the procurement of medicines/medical supplies necessary for the conduct of health-related activities for disease prevention and treatment among the affected population, including water and hygiene requirements.

She added the PCSO can also provide assistance through the conduct of medical missions in the affected communities.

Despite the suspension of work in government offices in Metro Manila on Tuesday, Cruz said the PCSO deployed a skeletal force for its gaming and charity operations.

Charity Sector employees will assist the public in securing their Guarantee Letters within the day, Code Blue teams from the Medical Services Department and support staff from the Accounting and Budget, Treasury and General Services Departments, including Internal Audit Service, will also be reporting for duty.

She noted the PCSO Pampanga, Zambales and Nueva Ecija branch offices have suspended their operations for the day to give way to the inspection of the buildings for possible damages.

She added other unaffected PCSO branch offices nationwide will have regular operations to provide much-needed services to the public.