PCSO spends P643M for individual medical assistance in April

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) through the Charity Assistance Department on Thursday said that it has spent P643 million for the month of April, benefitting 33,032 patients.

“The P643 million is 25.53 percent increase in spending and 26.16 percent increase in the beneficiaries compared with the same period last year,” said PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan.

PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan (fourth from left) with Team Palawan headed by its branch manager, Rolando ‘Orly’ Batislaong (fourth from the right)

The top three natures of requests include confinement with 12,458 beneficiaries at P272 million, requests for medicines with 10,899 beneficiaries at P106 million, and chemotherapy with 3,553 beneficiaries at P114 million.

“Compared with the same period last year, confinement increased at 11.94 percent in cases and 14.77 percent in spending; requests for medicines increased at 25.36 percent in cases and 20.82 percent in spending; and chemotherapy increased at 20.65 percent in beneficiaries and 17.31 percent in spending,” Balutan said.

To avoid processing delays, patients are advised to submit complete documentary requirements, which include personal letter to PCSO Chairman or General Manager, original/certified true copy of medical abstract signed by the doctor with license number, final hospital billing, endorsement from the hospital to accept PCSO guarantee letter, and photocopies of patient’s ID and immediate relative who will process the documents.

If a patient is discharged from the hospital and still have a remaining balance, a notarized promissory note is needed. Additional documents will be required for laboratory procedures, requests for chemo drugs or medicines, implant/prosthesis, and hemodialysis.

“Nakakalungkot na taun-taon, lumalaki ang bilang ng mga taong nangangailangan ng tulong medikal at pinansyal. But we would like to assure you that we choose no one whether rich or poor, as long as you are Filipino. That’s why we are encouraging you to patronize our products. Biruin mo, tumaya ka lang, nanalo ka pa, nakatulong ka pa. Kung hindi ka man manalo, at least nakakatulong ka,” Balutan said.

Under the PCSO's charter, 55 percent of its revenues should be allocated for prizes, 15 percent for operational expenses, and 30 percent for its "charity fund."