Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan announced on Monday the agency would construct its own corporate center in San Marcelino, Manila to decongest its satellite office at the Lung Center of the Philippines, which is servicing 700 patients per day.
“We will continue to help our indigent patients nationwide. We shall maintain the Individual Medical Assistance Program [IMAP] although the Universal Healthcare [UHC] law is already there, PCSO will help in looking for funds at PhilHealth,” Balutan said in a statement.
Likewise, PCSO Satellite Office located at LCP shall be transferred to Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
Balutan dispelled rumors that PCSO would stop giving medical assistance once UHC law had been fully implemented.
Earlier, Balutan revealed the agency was set to give 40 percent from the 30 percent of the Charity Fund, which is about P8 billion for UHC on the third quarter this year.
UHC will catalyze reforms for the health care system in the Philippines, particularly strengthening primary care services, through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth.
UHC will ensure adequate funding through the Department of Health annual budget, revenues from sin taxes, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., PCSO, and PhilHealth members’ contribution.
PCSO Charter, or RA 1169, particularly on revenue allocation, provides that the revenue of the PCSO shall be allocated to 55 percent for prize fund (payment of prizes), 30 percent for charity fund (various charity programs and service) and 15 percent as the operating fund (maintenance and operating expenses).
Charity Fund is divided into two: 60 percent of which is for IMAP and other charity programs such as Ambulance Donation, Calamity Assistance, Medical and Dental Mission, and others; while 40 percent is for mandatory contributions of PCSO to almost 28 government agencies like Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Sports Commission, Commission on Higher Education, among many others.
In 2018, PCSO generated a whopping P63.55, marking a 20-percent increase from its total generated revenue in 2017. With that, the agency was able to help 528,190 patients, spending about P8,682,919,581.50.
The agency also catered to 9,231 patients, spending about P626,249.20 through its medical and dental mission, which is a 233-percent increase from the P188,006.50 released amount for 3,490 patients in 2017.
“PCSO revenue is increasing, but people who are getting sick is also rapidly increasing. As you can see the recipients and the amount of assistance released for our flagship IMAP also increased. What I’m simply trying to say is that with more revenue PCSO generates, more funds will be available to support PCSO’s various charity programs. In turn, more Filipinos especially those needing medical assistance will be served by PCSO. We shall continuously look for avenues to generate more revenues,” said Balutan.