PCSO okays P38-M medical aid for 4.4K beneficiaries

MANILA – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Monday said it has approved the release of over PHP38 million in medical assistance to more than 4,400 eligible indigent beneficiaries nationwide.

PCSO General Manager Royina Garma said despite the suspension of operations in its main and extension offices due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, the agency has approved PHP38,855,070 medical assistance for confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis, hemophilia and post-operation medicines of 4,468 eligible indigent beneficiaries nationwide.

“In all given situations, PCSO will always live up to its mandate of providing medical and healthcare services to Filipinos, bearing a part of the weight and augmenting government efforts,” Garma said in a statement.

From April 20 to 24, the National Capital Region (NCR) approved assistance amounting to PHP4.4 million for 340 individuals, PHP9 million for the Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region (STBR) for 1,101 patients, PHP12 million for Northern and Central Luzon with 1,432 cases, PHP8 million for the Visayas Region for 858 clients and PHP5 million for Mindanao area with 737 cases.

The Medical Access Program (MAP), formerly known as the Individual Medical Assistance Program or (IMAP), is designed to augment the medical needs of the Filipino people nationwide, particularly the need for hospital confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis, and post-transplant medicines. The program is funded by revenues from PCSO games nationwide.

She said in these trying and challenging times PCSO once again stepped up in aiding the Filipino people, especially the marginalized sector through its MAP.

“Every time a ticket is purchased, 30 percent of the amount automatically goes to the PCSO Charity Fund. That’s why even if you do not bag the jackpot prize or any of the prizes, you are still a winner by helping your fellow Filipinos through the various charity programs of PCSO,” Garma said.

Garma said those seeking for medical assistance can go to the website of PCSO www.pcso.gov.ph and click E-Services and the NCR Online Application.

Garma said those can be availed of include requests for medical assistance for confinement, and outpatient requests for chemotherapy, dialysis, hemophilia, and post-transplant medicines.

Requests will be accepted and processed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. only in view of the curfew hours of the local government units.

For Metro Manila, requests shall be submitted and processed at the PCSO main office.

Garma said the PCSO will continue to find ways and means to reach out to people and assist the national government in its fight against Covid-19.