PCSO to establish Aklan branch

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will open its Aklan branch this year to expand the agency’s services to indigent patients and to the public, an agency official said. 

PCSO general manager Jose Fernandez M. Rojas said all services offered are available in the proposed Aklan PCSO branch including the claiming of prizes and the processing of requests for medical assistance.

“The agency extends in Aklan and relieves the residents of having to travel to other cities where the PCSO’s are located to seek for medical and hospital assistance,” Rojas said.

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said the charitable services of PCSO will be easier access by indigents from far-flung areas and the requests can now be processed in Kalibo, Aklan branch.

The Kalibo office will be stationed near the Provincial Capitol area to bring its services to hundreds of needy patients from remote areas of Aklan. 

Last March 22, Rojas also turned over P5.321 million in assistance funds. It was a percentage of lotto ticket sales during the "Pamaskong Handog ng PCSO: Nine Days of Christmas" last December.

Aklan Governor Miraflores and Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr.  thanked the cash donation which will provide assistance to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda in the province of Aklan.

PCSO also aims to establish branches in 81 provinces by 2016. This year among its target areas are Catanduanes, Lanao del Norte, Oriental Mindoro, Davao Oriental, Northern Samar, Abra, Romblon, Zamboanga del Norte and Antique this year.

Aside from medical missions, PCSO also funds social-welfare facilities, hospitals and orphanages; donates mobile clinics and ambulances, medicines for the poor, medical equipment and provides assistance in times of emergencies and calamities.