Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan yesterday vowed transparency in reporting the agency’s sales and accomplishments to gain people’s trust and end corruption.

“Gusto kong makita ninyo kung ano ang kinikita ng PCSO, kung saan ginagastos, anong proyekto, ilan ang beneficiaries na natulungan niya, at ‘yung mga ambulansya na nai-distribute.

“Sabi ko nga, kung ganito lahat ng ahensya, mababawasan ang corruption dito sa Pilipinas,” Balutan said during the program orientation and coordination conference for PCSO’s “I-Hope Program” in Sultan Kudarat.

The I-Hope (Integrate Health for Overall Productivity and Empowerment) program aims to implement responsible and efficient fund provision for health and charitable programs of the government and to provide access to charity services identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

Last year, Maguindanao, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, and Sarangani provinces were beneficiaries of this program.

This year, PCSO has identified Sultan Kudarat, Biliran, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi to receive P50 million each for the equipment upgrade.

Before assuming his post as general manager in 2016, Balutan said there are only 50 PCSO branches and 18 small town lottery (STL) players nationwide.

At present, there are 63 PCSO branches, 87 partner-hospitals through the At-Source-Ang-Processing (ASAP) desks, and 84 STL players.

“I see to it that every quarter, I report to the Filipino people kung ano ‘yung kinikita ng PCSO.

“So that our gaming public, especially ‘yung sineserbisyuhan natin magkaroon ng tiwala, ng confidence, sa ating gobyerno, “Balutan explained.

At least 22 million cheques every day intended for the poor and indigent patients are requesting for financial/medical support .

Requests vary from hospitalization, chemotherapy, dialysis, implant/transplant, to any medical services, except room, rent, and doctors’ professional fees.

“Kung mayroon kang PhilHealth, unahin muna ‘yun. Kung mayroon kang medical insurance or Senior Citizen’s discount ka, ibabawas muna doon,” Balutan said.

“In PCSO, we generate our own funds and not appropriated by Congress. All our generated funds come from the gaming public. We have our products such as Lotto, Sweepstakes, and STL,” he added.

He also urged the local government units to support PCSO products, especially STL, in line with the directive (Executive Order No. 13) of President Rodrigo Duterte to curb illegal gambling.