By Jel Santos
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) released P122 million to cover the medical expenses of 13, 236 indigent patients who sought the help of the agency in April.
PCSO General Manager Royina Marzan-Garma said the office approved P122.654 million worth of medical assistance which covered the confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis, hemophilia, and post-operative medicines. This was done under the Medical Access Program (MAP) of the agency.
“Amid the COVID-19 virus threat, the charity agency is taking the necessary steps in order to continue providing medical assistance to the increasing number of indigents seeking help from PCSO, through its flagship Medical Access Program or MAP. Rest assured that the agency will find ways to meet the medical and health-related needs of all Filipinos especially the marginalized,” she said in a statement.
Meanwhile, PCSO said hospitals with Malasakit Centers catered 791 indigent patients with medical assistance, having a total of P9, 417, 575. 88. Malasakit Center hospitals from Northern and Central Luzon approved P1, 370, 000 for 129 patient while P578, 400 was allocated for 43 indigents in Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region. Hospitals with Malasakit Center in NCR were provided with P1, 324, 700 for their 46 patients; Visayas Region with P4, 379, 371. 68 for 362 patients; and Mindanao Region with 211 patients with total assistance of P1, 765, 104. 20.
The PCSO Main Office in Mandaluyong City and all PCSO Branch Offices nationwide are open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. only to accept and process request for medical assistance.
According to PCSO, NCR patients may also file their request through online application by accessing the PCSO official website www.pcso.gov.ph, go to E-Services and click the NCR Online Application.