By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Monday said it has provided assistance to the Luzon areas particularly the provinces of Pampanga and Zambales hit by the 6.1-magnitude earthquake last April 22.
Sandra Cam, member of the PCSO board of directors (BOD), said the agency allocated PHP5 million for Pampanga and PHP1.5 million for Zambales from its calamity assistance fund.
She said the fund was provided after an assessment was undertaken by the PCSO on the effects of the earthquake in Central Luzon.
Aside from the calamity fund, the PCSO has been providing medical assistance to quake victims confined in hospitals, through their Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP).
Last week, Cam and a team of PCSO officers went around Pampanga and Zambales in the aftermath of the earthquake to inspect the damage wrought by the quake which had its epicenter in Zambales.
Cam, who also visited the Jose Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital last week, assured victims of the earthquake that the PCSO will help in the payment of their bills.
The PCSO is saddened by the casualties and damages to lives and properties brought about by the earthquake.
Earlier, PCSO spokesperson Pilar Pinga Cruz said that LGUs are likewise eligible to seek assistance from PCSO in the event of affectation due to a calamity. Under its mandate, the PCSO shall primarily provide augmentation through financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries, which may be utilized for food needs, feeding projects for displaced families in evacuation centers and temporary shelters, and for the procurement of medicines/medical supplies necessary for the conduct of health-related activities for disease prevention and treatment among the affected population, including water and hygiene requirements.
She added the PCSO can also provide assistance through the conduct of medical missions in the affected communities.
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