The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Monday (May 15) turned over a total of 2.6 billion pesos to the Bureau of Treasury (BTr), committing to fulfill its mandate as the government’s major charitable arm and big contributor to national coffers.
PCSO General Manager Mel Robles personally handed to Deputy Treasurer Erwin Sta. Ana a cheque with the total amount of P2,665,701,213.78, representing the agency’s remittance to the BTr for 2022.
This is a significant increase of 70% or P1,097,678,322.53 to the agency’s total remittance of P 1,560,102,891.25 in 2021.
In a statement, GM Robles expressed his gratitude for the tireless efforts and support of the PCSO officers and employees, as well as their stakeholders, that resulted in greater revenues for the agency.
“We are proud to contribute to the government’s coffers. The P2.6 billion represents our unwavering commitment to serve the needs of the people,” he said.
While GM Robles thanks the public for their continued patronage of the PCSO, he reiterates his call for them to participate only in agency-sanctioned legal games.
“Sa halagang bente makakatulong ka na sa bayan mo,” he emphasized.
Observers noted that the huge jump in remittance demonstrates the effectiveness of the current PCSO leadership’s initiatives and reforms in fulfilling its commitment to generate funds for the government’s health and charitable programs.
The PCSO is mandated to raise funds through lotteries and sweepstakes, the earnings of which are then being used for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charity works of the national government.
Earlier, GM Robles expressed confidence that PCSO will generate more funds as it intensifies its campaign against illegal gambling in partnership with the Philippine National Police.