GUIMARAS – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) continues to bring its services closer to the people as opened its new branch in this island province.
Located at the provincial covered gymnasium in Barangay San Miguel, Jordan town, the office is the 66th PCSO branch in the country and the 15th in Visayas.
The other PCSO branches in Visayas are in Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Western Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Southern Leyte, and Biliran.
The newly opened branch will be headed by acting branch manager and concurrent social worker Arnes Duran.
PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan and other PCSO officials were present during the opening of the Guimaras branch.
Guimaras is composed of five municipalities – Buenavista, Sibunag, San Lorenzo, Nueva Valencia, and Jordan.
Guimaras governor Samuel Gumarin said the opening of PCSO office in his hometown is a big leap in the provision of curative and health services to the residents of the province.
Guimaras vice governor Atty. John Edward Gando also extended his heartfelt gratitude to PCSO for the new branch in Guimaras.
According to him, more than revenue generation, the provision of medical assistance to the Filipinos, is the heart of PCSO.
Now residents of Guimaras need not travel via sea very early in the morning to go to Iloilo to get a slot in seeking medical assistance for their sick family members, Gando added.
Balutan reiterated that the mandate of PCSO is to generate revenues to provide funds for medical and other charitable services nationwide.
“PCSO does not get funds from the national government. The agency derives its funds from the people’s money when they buy sweepstakes, lotto. Keno and STL tickets…Sa bawat taya niyo 30 percent – or P6.00 – ay napupunta sa Charity Funds na siya namang pinapamigay ng PCSO sa mga taong pumipila para humingi ng tulong. Kaya huwag na kayong tumaya sa iligal kasi wala kayong nakukuha dun,” Balutan said. (With PCSO/PN)
