improving the Sweepstakes
Even with the successful operation of the lotto, the PCSO is taking steps to improve the traditional Sweepstakes to make it more competitive. The sales of Sweepstakes tickets has been automated at the point of sale, and the entire financial system has been computerized. Not only does this ensure better management of the game, but it likewise lengthens the ticket selling period. Significantly, the computerization has enhanced the product’s integrity and image. To complete the facelift, the Sweepstakes tickets have come out with a new design.
In March 1998, the new Bonus Sweepstakes “Doble Panalo” was launched to make the Sweepstakes more appealing to the public. The new game is a combination of Sweepstakes and Instant Win where players can have the chance to win twice with a purchase of just one share worth Php10.00. Prizes include over Php3 million in the Sweepstakes and over Php550,000 prizes in the Match & Win portion.
These game enhancement are expected to yield greater revenues that will likewise dramatically give impetus to the PCSO’s avowed commitment to support its ever-growing number of beneficiaries and programs.
Other PCSO Services
Undoubtedly one of the most effective means of pursuing the agency’s commitment to the Filipino people is charity through free medical and dental services.
Initially serving its officials and employees, referrals and walk-ins, the PCSO Charity Clinic’s services have now expanded to include the depressed barangays in Metro Manila to as far as Sorsogon in the South and Isabela in the North. A total of twenty-six (26) outreach missions have been conducted during the first year of the program. Currently, a total of 117,001 medical patients and 28,292 dental patients have benefited from these undertakings (figures as of 2001).
The Out-Patient Clinic Department of the PCSO renders services from Monday to Friday to thousands of indigent patients at the PCSO Dental and Clinic Department in Gate 6, City Hall, Kalayaan St., Quezon City.. The clinic department offers the following services: free consultations, minor surgeries, ambulance conduction of patients and emergency care as well as referrals. It also undertakes community outreach projects in Maternal and Child Health and Primary Health Care. A total of 36,911 medical and 18,965 dental patients have been the recipient of this endeavor (as of 2001).
Since the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, the PCSO has so far released Php400 million as direct assistance to the victims and to the various Pinatubo-related programs of the Office of the President. In the Ormoc disaster, the PCSO shelled out Php48.5 million to the affected families apart from the financial assistance given to the community. In the lloilo fire disaster, victims were provided financial assistance amounting to Php1.5 million. In the Ozone fire tragedy of March 1996, which claimed the lives of over 150 people and injured close to 200 persons, most of them were students, the PCSO also came to the rescue by providing the families of the victims with financial, funeral and medical assistance amounting to more than P6 million pesos.
Starting with just two beneficiaries – the Philippine Tuberculosis Society and Hospicio de San Jose – the PCSO now has a long list of beneficiaries that include the Red Cross, Blood Bank, National Mental Hospital, Boys’ Town in Marikina, Missionaries of Charity in Cebu, Golden Acres, Tala Leprosarium, Commission on Family Life in Laoag City, Bacolod Boys’ Home in Negros Occidental, Dominican Missionaries’ Stela Maris Nursery, Leprosarium in Zamboanga City, Daughter of Mary, Mother of the Church in Naga City, nutrition centers, rural health clinics, government hospitals and many others which total more than 8,000 beneficiaries.