Lotto operator Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has pledged to comply with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent directive to continue fulfilling its mandate of helping vulnerable Filipinos while hailing the government’s charity arm for its “remarkable” nine decades of service.

Marcos described the agency as a “beacon in times of darkness” for countless Filipinos.

“Nine decades — almost a century of hope, a lottery of chances, and a whole lot of dreams funded, healed and realized,” he said.

The President commended the PCSO for “creating not just a system of funding, but a helping hand for Filipinos in need.”

Many lives touched

He highlighted several PCSO programs that impacted many lives, such as the Medical Assistance Program, Institutional Partnership Program and the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program, among others.

To mark the agency’s nine decades of service, the Chief Executive cited recently the donation of 90 ambulances or patient transport vehicles to assist more Filipinos, particularly those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

He also mentioned the PCSO’s grant to the Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home in Pasig City through the Institutional Partnership Program, which covers essential needs like food, milk, and medical expenses for children.

Marcos thanked the PCSO’s past, present, and future leaders and personnel for their service to the Filipinos, and urged them to continue helping those in need.

“Continue upholding integrity, benevolence, and excellence,” the President said.

The PCSO’s 90th anniversary celebration coincided with the National Day of Charity declared by Marcos through Proclamation 598 on 13 June 2024, which aims to raise awareness and encourage individuals and groups to implement charitable initiatives and philanthropic activities that can enrich community ties, improve other people’s well-being and impact lives tangibly.

The President, accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos, also unveiled the PCSO’s 90th anniversary commemorative stamp during the gathering.

The PCSO institutional partners were also awarded for their unwavering support to fulfilling the agency’s mission of serving the Filipino people.

Since its creation on 30 October 1934, the PCSO has been the principal government agency for raising funds through sweepstakes, races and lottery games for funding health programs and medical assistance.