Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) through the Charity Assistance Department on Thursday said that it has spent P643 million for the month of April, benefitting some 33,032 patients.
“The P643 million is a 25.53% increase in spending and 26.16% increase in the beneficiaries compared with the same period last year,” said PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan.
The top three natures of requests include confinement with 12,458 beneficiaries at P272 million, requests for medicines with 10,899 beneficiaries at P106 million, and chemotherapy with 3,553 beneficiaries at P114 million.
“Compared with the same period last year, confinement increased at 11.94 % in cases and 14.77% in spending; requests for medicines increased at 25.36% in cases and 20.82% in spending; and chemotherapy increased at 20.65 % in beneficiaries and 17.31% in spending,” Balutan said.
To avoid processing delays, patients are advised to submit complete documentary requirements, which include a personal letter to PCSO Chairman or General Manager, original/certified true copy of medical abstract signed by the doctor with license number, final hospital billing, endorsement from the hospital to accept PCSO guarantee letter, and photocopies of patient’s ID and immediate relative who will process the documents.
If a patient is discharged from the hospital and still have a remaining balance, a notarized promissory note is needed. Additional documents will be required for laboratory procedures, requests for chemo drugs or medicines, implant/prosthesis, and hemodialysis.
“Nakakalungkot na taun-taon, lumalaki ang mga taong nangangailangan ng tulong medikal at pinansyal. But we would like to assure you that we choose no one whether rich or poor, as long as you are Filipino. That’s why we are encouraging you to patronize our products. Biruin mo, tumaya ka lang, nanalo ka pa, nakatulong ka pa. Kung hindi ka man manalo, at least nakakatulong ka,” Balutan said.
Under the PCSO’s charter, 55% of its revenues should be allocated for prizes, 15% for operational expenses, and 30% for its “charity fund.”
