MANILA -- The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has released PHP20.19 million to seven hospitals as part of the agency’s endowment fund (EF) program, PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan said on Friday.
Balutan said the program allocates funding support directly to government hospitals and non-government offices to expand the medical support for patients admitted in the charity section.
Funds directly proceed to the health facility to be utilized for a year from the release of the fund.
“Beneficiary hospitals should submit their liquidation report within the prescribed period. We have measures to monitor the utilization of our funds. We are a generous giver, but our beneficiaries must make sure they utilize the fund properly and it will really benefit the poorest of the poor,” Balutan said.
Of the PHP20.19 million, PHP5 million was donated to Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center; PHP1 million to Camp Aquino Station Hospital-Northern Luzon Command; PHP2.190 million to White Cross Children’s Home Hospital; PHP5 million to West Visayas State University Medical Center; PHP3 million to Benguet General Hospital; PHP3 million to Sulu Provincial Hospital; and PHP1 million to Tamparan District Hospital.
At present, the agency is awaiting the full enactment of the Universal Health Care bill, which will ensure all Filipinos will have access to quality and affordable medicines.
With that, PCSO’s whole Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) and the EF, which is included in the 30 percent overall charity fund, shall be transferred to Philhealth.
The proposed system is the remittance of PCSO contribution to Philhealth is on a quarterly basis. The agency is set to remit PHP6 billion or more to Philhealth annually.
The IMAP is the flagship project of PCSO that comprises services such as financial assistance for hospital bill, chemo/radiation and dialysis treatments and other medical services to patients that needs immediate financial assistance.
PCSO services under its institutional partnership program would be retained such as the ambulance donation, calamity assistance, capability building for regional health units, medicines procurement, the Integrated Health for Overall Productivity and Empowerment (I-HOPE), endowment fund, among others. This comprises 60 percent of the charity fund.
“This is one of the many reasons why we are intensifying our campaign against jueteng and all forms of illegal numbers games to protect STL (small town lottery). STL is the second highest earning product of PCSO next to lotto. Revenues coming from STL helps this government provide funds for health programs and free medical services to the people. We must do our best to protect it,” Balutan said. (PNA)
