Manila: The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Friday reported that it has contributed a total of PHP97.84 billion to the national government from 2022 to the first semester of 2026. These contributions have been made through taxes, dividends, and mandatory remittances, which aid in funding healthcare and other public programs.
According to Philippines News Agency, the remittances include PHP73.05 billion to the Bureau of Internal Revenue as taxes, and PHP10.30 billion to the Bureau of the Treasury as dividends. Additionally, PCSO has contributed PHP11.47 billion to support Universal Health Care under Republic Act 11223. Another PHP3.03 billion was allocated to various government institutions and beneficiaries in accordance with special laws and executive orders.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles highlighted the impact of these contributions, stating that the nearly PHP98 billion provided since 2022 reflects the significant resources generated for healthcare, education, sports development, disaster response, and other essential government programs through public support for lotto. Robles emphasized that the games' value extends beyond prizes, with portions of revenues benefiting the Filipino people through taxes, dividends, healthcare funding, and charitable assistance.
As PCSO strengthens operations and expands access to legitimate games, it enhances its capacity to contribute to the government and assist more Filipinos. Every legitimate bet aids in generating funds that return to communities via public services and social programs. Robles reiterated PCSO's motto, 'Sa Bawat Taya, May Kawanggawa (For every bet, there is charity).'
PCSO's mandatory contributions support various agencies and organizations, including the Commission on Higher Education, Dangerous Drugs Board, Department of Energy, National Council on Disability Affairs, Philippine Sports Commission, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Philippine Red Cross, Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines, Quezon Institute, and local government unit shares.
During deliberations on PCSO's proposed budget, House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing commended the agency for its substantial contributions to government coffers, emphasizing the crucial role these funds play in supporting government programs and projects. Other representatives, including Ramil Hernandez, Leody Tarriela, Joseph Tan, Maria Cristina Angeles, Presley De Jesus, Alexandria Gonzales, and Rebecca Maria Ynares, also expressed their support for PCSO's budget proposal and gratitude for its nation-building contributions.
