PBBM: PCSO is ‘beacon in times of darkness’; hails 90 years service to Filipinos

 

Photo courtesy of PCO

by: Jerome Paunan 

MANILA, (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for its significant contributions to the nation during its 90th anniversary celebration held on October 30 at the Fiesta Pavilion in The Manila Hotel.

In his address, Marcos emphasized the PCSO’s role as a “beacon in times of darkness,” highlighting its ongoing commitment to supporting marginalized sectors of society.

“Nine decades of hope, a lottery of chances, and a whole lot of dreams funded, healed, and realized,” he said, reflecting on the organization’s impact since its founding.

The President shared a poignant story of Walter Mejia, a 50-year-old San Jose Del Monte resident who received 600,000 pesos for a kidney transplant through the PCSO’s Medical Assistance Program.

This personal account underscored the vital role the PCSO plays in providing healthcare access to those in need.

Marcos also announced the donation of 90 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to various local government units (LGUs), a move aimed at enhancing healthcare access in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

He noted the importance of these vehicles, especially in regions like Donsol, Sorsogon, where residents previously faced long waits for emergency medical care.

The President acknowledged the PCSO’s ongoing support for children in need, citing assistance provided to the Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home in Pasig.

“This is a quiet promise to each child that there is a community standing behind them,” he added.

As the evening progressed, Marcos called upon PCSO officials and employees to uphold the values of integrity, benevolence, and excellence.

“Thank you for your dedication and for the countless hours you have put into making this institution a pillar of hope,” he said, encouraging continued service with compassion and courage.

In closing, he celebrated the legacy of the PCSO, expressing hope for “90 more years of making dreams possible.” The event was marked by applause and a shared commitment to the future of the organization and the Filipino people. (JCO/PIA-NCR)