PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Mel Robles has assured that the agency observes an inclusive policy pursuant to the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to set aside politics when it comes to helping the needy Filipinos.
In an interview at the NAIA Terminal 1, Robles proudly announced that for the first time, the PCSO was able to democratize its medical mobility program where all local government units (LGUs) big and small have received support from the agency, such as ambulances.
“Ngayon, kahit anong liit pa ng bayan ay mayroong ambulansiya, bumoto ka man o hindi, di gaya dati na para lang sa kakampi. Ngayon, lahat kakampi ang turing,” Robles said.
The PCSO chief made such assurance at the sidelines of the ‘PCSO Bagong Taong Salubong sa OFWs’ which happens to be the agency’s first activity for 2026.
Robles was joined by OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, his chief of staff Jeremy Regino, PCSO Chairman Judge Felix P. Reyes (Ret.) and members of the PCSO Board of Directors Imelda A. Papin, Janet De Leon Mercado and Jennifer E. Liongson-Guevara and her executive assistant III Kristine Bernadette Llamas in personally handing out to some 400 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) one ‘Charitimba‘ each. These are pails that contain PCSO’s in-kind assistance to the returning OFWs.
In the same event, Robles also assured that the doors of the PCSO are open for OFWs who need help, especially in terms of medical assistance.
“Nais ng PCSO na maging ‘aware at conscious’ ang OFWs na meron silang tatakbuhan kahit paano kung saan kailangan lamang nilang dumaan sa usual route gaya ng online at offices o branches ng PCSO,” he said.
Robles also debunked the usual practice where one would need to find a ‘padrino’ or patron just to be able to get help from the PCSO.
“Kapag may problema sila (OFWs), lalo’t higit medical, ay mayroon silang matatakbuhan para sa pandagdag na tulong at pambawas ng agam-agam habang malayo sila,” he said.
