MANILA – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Wednesday said it is set to release anew financial assistance worth PHP447 million to 81 government hospitals to battle the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
PCSO General Manager Royina Marzan-Garma said the agency's board, in a meeting on Tuesday, approved the release of the assistance to augment the financial capability of the beneficiary hospitals in catering to Covid-19 patients.
She said financial assistance is "over and above" the PHP420 million funds to be released to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) as announced last week.
The measure is in compliance with the memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on March 28, with the subject 'Implementation of the Temporary Emergency Measures' under Republic Act (RA) No. 11469, otherwise known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which orders government bodies to work together in protecting and supporting health workers and front-liners; providing supplies and equipment necessary for detecting the disease and caring for those infected; deliver essential necessities such as food and medicine to the most vulnerable; and, mobilize all state assets to sustain the operations of the government.
“The newly approved financial assistance will be charged to the agency's Charity Fund under its Calamity Assistance Program (CAP) budget,’ she said in a statement sent to reporters.
She said the coverage of the assistance is specifically limited to Covid-19 cases and shall be utilized for testing kits; reagents; medical / diagnostic equipment; confinement; medicines; laboratory/diagnostic procedures; and personal protective equipment.
The agency has yet to finalize the list of beneficiary hospitals.
Garma said that PCSO branch managers in different provinces are now coordinating with these hospitals for the required documents of the assistance and the schedule of turnover that will be held at the agency's branch offices.
As a procedural requirement upon receipt of the assistance, these hospitals are required to submit a Hospital Profile and license from the Department of Health or shall execute an undertaking to submit the said documents at a later time.
She added that considering PCSO is the principal government agency for raising funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character, the agency will always be ready to help the government and the Filipino people in times of crisis.
“We are calling on the heads of these hospitals to also reach out to the nearest PCSO branch office in their area for the details of the assistance so that they can start planning on how to use the assistance based on the given limitations,” Garma said.
She assured the public that the PCSO would play a proactive role in the fight against Covid-19 and would readily provide assistance to local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of community health initiatives.
“To our fellow Filipinos, please know, that PCSO will always be here, ready to provide health and medical-related assistance. Let us also do our part as individuals by cooperating and following orders so that we can flatten the curve and put an end soon to this invisible enemy,” she said. (PNA)
