PCSO to mark 83rd anniversary Thursday

FILE: PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan (Photo: Alexander F Balutan/Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will celebrate its 83rd anniversary with the theme, “PCSO on the Rise,” since most of the aspects in operations climb under President Rodrigo Duterte administration.

“The PCSO is on the rise because we have increased our revenues, our branches, services, and especially our number of beneficiaries since we assumed office under President Duterte,” PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said in a statement.

The agency’s anniversary celebration will be held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City on Thursday.

Balutan said the agency aggressively increased its revenue collections and widened its charity services to the Filipino people especially to remote areas.

“Our revenues are increasing, and so we (are) able to increase the allocation for our Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) which is the fund our branches use for the benefit of our countrymen,” Balutan said.

“We have also increased our number of branches to 60 so more Filipinos can benefit from our expanded gaming products, like the Small Town Lottery (STL),” he added.

He said the agency had also increased its assistance desks called “At-Source-ang-Processing” (ASAP) desks to 46 partnered-hospitals in several provinces to hasten the medical aid the agency extends to patients.

Under the Duterte administration, the PCSO has increased its revenues after it expanded its Small Town Lottery (STL) operations to 92 Authorized Agent Corporations (80 are now operational) nationwide which now earn P1.5 billion a month.

“The expansion of STL operations this year has helped us increase our revenues which benefits thousands of people seeking medical assistance from the PCSO. The PCSO has proven its dedication in fulfilling its mandate of helping people who are in need,” Balutan noted.

“We are able to raise our target revenues this year to PHP46.62 billion from PHP37 billion last year. We are hoping to reach that figure before the year ends,” Balutan said.

For his part, PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz said “we will not stop there. We will continue to make ways to improve our services even more and help more of our countrymen.

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Corpuz said he and other PCSO officials were looking forward to reporting the agency’s accomplishments during the advance anniversary celebration on October 26.

The celebration will begin with the anniversary messages from the PCSO top executives and will be followed by series of presentations. It includes the recognition of this year’s PCSO employees awardees for Employees Service Award, including Top Performing Individual Lotto Agent Award, Top Performing Corporate Lotto Agent Award, and Top Performing STL Authorized Agent Corporation Award.

“There will be testimonies also from beneficiaries of PCSO’s medical services,” Balutan said.

To provide entertainment during dinner, the PCSO has invited performers including singers. Invited are Michael Angelo Lobrin, Betong Sumaya, and DJ Durano.

Raffy Benavides, a songwriter and composer from Iloilo, will also launch the jingle he composed for PCSO and STL.

Balutan said the Philippine Marine Combo would also be performing in the event.

Meanwhile, raffle prizes await both employees and guests. (PNA)