Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has opened Monday its 64th branch office in Puluan District Hospital in Maguindanao.
“This is the first PCSO branch opened at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao [ARMM] in line with our mission to bring our services closer to the public and to be present in every province. That’s why our target is to put up one PCSO branch every province,” said PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan who graced the opening ceremony.
Maguindanao is home to tri-people—the Muslims, Christians, and Lumads.
Balutan, a former Marine general who spent 20 years in Mindanao, revealed he knew exactly what the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao needed badly apart from infrastructures and education.
“They need basic health services and immediate medical support from the government. They need to feel the government’s presence through PCSO,” said Balutan.
Contrary to the general impressions that Mindanao has become unsafe for tourists, Assistant General Manager for Branch Operations Sector Remeliza Gabuyo shared otherwise.
Gabuyo said they saw the potential of Maguindanao not only for charity services, but also for gaming.
During the opening ceremony, PCSO main office gave P1-million endowment fund to PCSO Maguindanao Branch located in Puluan District.
“It is a one-time assistance pero kapag na-liquidate immediately, we will again evaluate them for another assistance,” added Gabuyo.
Gabuyo admitted that for now, only Davao province had At-Source-Ang-Processing Desks in their hospitals, but the agency was planning to tie up with hospitals in Maguindanao through this endowment fund.
Gabuyo gave assurances the PCSO would not reject anyone and would cater to everyone from whatever religion, including the enemies of the State.”‹
