LUNA, Apayao – The Apayao Branch of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) started operations in November following the inauguration and turn-over of its office space provided by the provincial government in a simple ceremony that coincided with the awarding of calamity assistance to the seven municipalities of the province.
The turn-over ceremony was attended by PCSO Northern and Central Luzon Department Manager Laila Daniel-Galang, together with Cagayan Branch Officer-in-Charge Heherson Pambid, who facilitated the establishment of the PCSO Apayao Branch that took two years to realize.
Governor Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, through a message delivered by Acting Provincial Administrator Ma. Elena Teresa Ravelo, thanked the PCSO for considering the request for the establishment of the Apayao branch saying “it shows the real commitment (of PCSO) to reach out to the poor and disadvantaged.”
“The presence of your office here would be a great help to the provincial and the municipal governments in addressing the outpouring requests for medical and livelihood assistance, all of which we could not possibly accommodate due to limited resources at our disposal,” she added.
In addition to the regular assistance programs of the PCSO, the governor expressed hopes of working on other collaborative endeavors with the branch towards “my administration’s goal of further reducing the province’s poverty incidence level.”
The governor recalled that the construction of the initial buildings of the Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center were funded by PCSO. Likewise, through the years, it has extended assistance to the province in times of calamities, and medical assistance to the poor and needy.
On PCSO’s part, Galang delivered the message of Vice-President and General Manager Royina Garma, who could not make it to the occasion, thanking the provincial government for its assistance in the establishment of the Apayao branch which she said is in fulfillment of the agency’s mission of bringing government closer to the people, especially to those who live in far-flung areas. The provincial government has provided a furnished office space within the provincial government center to house PCSO’s Apayao branch.
“Ito po ay sobra sobrang biyaya para sa PCSO at makakaasa kayo na amin pong ibabalik ang kabutihang loob sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong pinansyal at medical na pangangailangan ninyo,” Garma’s message added to the delight of the city officials in attendance.
During the occasion, the PCSO also awarded calamity assistance amounting to P1.5 million to the seven municipalities, with Calanasan and Pudtol receiving P500,000 each and P100,000 each for Kabugao, Flora, Luna, Conner and Sta. Marcela.
The PCSO is a government-owned and controlled corporation mandated to undertake fund raising and fund support for health program, medical assistance and services and charities of national character.
BY JEROME D. LACAMBRA
