The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) delivered four ambulances to the province of Davao del Norte last week, as part of the agency’s long-term efforts related to its ambulance-donation program.
With other PCSO officials and employees, I traveled to Tagum City on February 12, upon the invitation of Rep. Anthony G. del Rosario of the First District of Davao del Norte for a turnover ceremony to which were also invited Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario, Vice Gov. Victorio R. Suaybaguio, Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr., mayors, chiefs of hospital and other local government officials.
The recipients of this batch of ambulances for Daval del Norte were the district hospitals of the municipalities of Carmen, Kapalong, and the Island Garden City of Samal and the Davao Regional Medical Center.
These ambulances and the others that the PCSO has donated to various local government units (LGUs), public hospitals, other state entities and charitable organizations are being distributed to benefit our kababayan nationwide, under
President Aquino’s policy of universal health care for all Filipinos guided by the daang matuwid framework.
I have a standard speech at such events, where I emphasize several points about the PCSO ambulance-donation program.
First, is that it is open to all LGUs and other qualified beneficiaries under the law, without bias. Emergency vehicles are given when and where they are needed all over the country, and this is a continuing commitment in that beneficiaries may request for a new ambulance every five years, as long as their paperwork is in order.
Second, that the PCSO receives no funds from the national government. It generates its own funds from the operation of games, including the popular PCSO Lotto. Therefore, we encourage the public to play our games; in doing so, they enable the administration and implementation of the ambulance-donation program and other PCSO programs.
Third, that we need the support of LGUs to help us in our service delivery by supporting PCSO’s Lotto operations. There are still some LGUs that do not allow Lotto outlets to be established in their areas; nevertheless, the PCSO has branches in those areas and continues to provide the same quality services and support to the people there.
Fourth, that LGUs also benefit from the presence of Lotto outlets in their areas, because they receive a percentage share from the revenues to fund their own social-welfare programs.
Fifth, that Lotto outlets are a good business endeavor for their local entrepreneurs—businessmen; young people starting out with a little capital and a lot of guts; retirees looking for something easy to set up and run; overseas Filipino workers who have returned to their hometowns with some savings to invest. This helps boost the LGUs’ micro- to medium-enterprise efforts and develop their economy in general.
Partnering with the PCSO creates a win-win situation for all involved, not only in terms of business benefits, but also on a deeper level; there is also a profound sense of fulfillment in being involved with charity work.
In bringing ambulances to the remote areas of the country, the PCSO is also bringing smiles to the faces of the residents of those areas, whose worries are eased a little bit by having that particular resource they can use in times of need. As Lotto players, the public is part of that endeavor, and we thank them for their enthusiastic support through the years.
The PCSO also looks forward to stronger continuous synergy with the LGUs and other state entities and private organizations in the service of the people.
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Atty. Rojas is vice chairman and general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.