By: Jennifer P. Rendon
”Saan aabot ang P10 or P24 mo?”
In the case of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), it can boost its medical assistance program, aid to victims of natural calamities, and financial assistance to government agencies and institutions through its Mandatory Contribution Program.
On Nov. 14, 2019, PCSO turned over three checks for P58.1 million to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as part of the agency’s mandatory contribution.
PCSO general manager Royina Garma personally turned over the checks to CHED officials led by Dr. Maura Consolacion Cristobal, CHED Regional Office VI director.
“We would like the public to know where the money they spent to buy lotto products go,” Garma said.
The turnover was done during CHED’s “Seminar-Workshop on Strengthening Higher Education in Region VI through HEDF Projects” at the Zuri Hotel in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
PCSO’s contribution to CHED is pursuant to Section 10 of Republic Act No. 7722, which mandates PCSO to allocate 1 percent of the equivalent gross sales of its lotto operations nationwide to CHED.
CHED will decide on where to use the funds.
But it is believed that most of the amount is used to find state universities and colleges (SUCs)
Western Visayas has 11 SUCs.
Since the inception of CHED in 1995, PCSO has released P2.4 billion in mandatory contributions.
“PCSO, under my leadership, is not only here to support the sick individuals, and other government institutions, but we are also committed to make the lives of the poor better, the middle class comfortable, and the rich to give more,” she said.
But Garma said PCSO can only sustain its commitment if it continues to generate revenues needed to fund its various charity programs and services.
The only means by which PCSO generates funds is through its various gaming products.
“PCSO does not ask funds from the government. In fact, it’s the PCSO that is giving funds to the government, through the mandatory contributions, like what we do,” she said.
Thus, Garma stressed that without PCSO games, it cannot give what it does not have.
“For us to continually work with compassion and dedication in improving the lives of our countrymen, we encourage you to give to PCSO by supporting our products,” she said.
These products include the traditional Sweepstakes, the Lotto (6/42, Mega Lotto 6/45, Super Lotto 6/49, Grand Lotto 6/55, and Ultra Lotto 6/59), the Digit Games (2D, 3D, 4D, and 6D), the Keno, the Small Town Lottery or STL, and the Scratch It.
“With your 10 or 24 pesos, you do not only get a shot at becoming a millionaire but also get the chance to do the noble act of helping others, through the charity programs and services of PCSO,” she said
Garma explained that 30 percent of the bet a person places goes directly to charity fund.
“Kaya tandaan nyo: sa PCSO, bawat pisong tulong tungo sa pagsulong,” she said.
Aside from CHED, PCSO also does mandatory contribution to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Sports Commission, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines, among others.
But bulk of the fund, or 40 percent, goes to the Universal Health Care program.
