Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for
health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character. PCSO is under the direct supervision of
the Office of the President of the Philippines and the raised collections goes to the President's Presidential Social Fund to
improve the country's social welfare.

PCSO holds and conducts charity sweepstakes, races, and lotteries and engages in health and welfare-related investments,
projects, and activities to provide for permanent and continuing sources of funds for its programs. It also undertakes other
activities to enhance and expand such fund-generating operations as well as strengthen the agency’s fund-management
capabilities.

The main products of the PCSO are the sweepstakes and the lottery games. Various game types have been introduced and
other game innovations are constantly being conceptualized, particularly of the traditional and scratch and match variety and
the Small Town Lottery (STL).

The PCSO holds five 6-pick number games, the Lotto 6/42, MegaLotto 6/45, SuperLotto 6/49 GrandLotto 6/55 and
UltraLotto 6/58 at Php24.00 per combination (inclusive of 20% Documentary Stamp Tax or DST). All of these number games
can be played using the system play (systems 7 to 12), 5 Roll, and Lucky Pick. The Lotto 6/42 is drawn on Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays and has an initial jackpot prize of Php6,000,000.00. The MegaLotto 6/45 is drawn on Mondays, Wednesdays,
and Fridays with the initial jackpot prize of Php9,000,000.00. The SuperLotto 6/49, which has an initial jackpot prize of
Php16,000,000.00, is drawn on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The GrandLotto 6/55 is drawn every Monday, Wednesday
and Saturday with the initial jackpot prize of Php30,000,000.00. The UltraLotto 6/58 is drawn on Tuesdays, Fridays and
Sundays with Php50,000,000.00 as the initial jackpot prize.

In adherence to its main thrust of providing funds for health programs and other charities, the PCSO is engaged in various social
welfare and development programs. The main programs of the agency are as follows:
● endowment fund/quality health care program
 ● individual medical assistance program
● community outreach program
● ambulance donation program
● national calamity and disaster program
● hospital renovation and improvement of healthcare facilities

Also, the agency makes mandatory contributions to:

● Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
● Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter and Urban Development Financing Program (CISUDFP)
● Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
● National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)
● Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
● Philippine Centennial Commission (PCC)
● Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)
● Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC)

as well as regular quarterly and monthly contributions to charitable institutions engaged in giving welfare services to the children
and youth who are either abandoned or exploited, the elderly, and the physically and mentally handicapped, among others.

Target Beneficiaries
PCSO Medical Assistance Program criteria
If you are a patient or someone who has a patient that has medical needs or medical bills, you can request PCSO assistance
for the following scenarios:
● confined in any health facility
● receiving any health care management as an outpatient
● seeking treatment in foreign countries provided that no health facility within the Philippines is capable of delivering a
particular procedure.

PCSO's medical assistance program aims to provide timely and responsive financial assistance to indigent Filipinos. The main
objective is to provide financial assistance—especially indigent Filipinos—by augmenting their medical funds, in partnership
with a government hospital (and private), health facilities, medicine retailers, and other government agencies like DSWD.
 1. Hospital Confinement
Eligible patients who are currently admitted or have been discharged with a promissory note duly acknowledge by the health
facility or medical center.
2. Dialysis
Eligible patients who are undergoing, such as, but not limited to Hemodialysis and Peritoneal (Continuous Ambulatory
Peritoneal Dialysis or CAPD).
3. Cancer Treatment
Cancer patients who are undergoing medical treatment, such as, but not limited to:
● Chemotherapy
● Radiation therapy
● Brachytherapy
● Radioactive Iodine
● Stereotactic Radiosurgery / Gamma Knife
4. Medicines
Financial aid including but not limited to:
● Anti-rabies
● Factor 8 and 9
● Psychiatric
● Post-transplant medicines or post-operative
● Antibiotics
● Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
5. Surgical supplies
● Eligible for patients who require supplies for their surgical procedures
6. Implant
● Bone
● Cochlear
7. Laboratory / Diagnostic Procedure
 8. Medical devices
Medical devices like pacemaker device, septal occluder, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) devices
Assistive devices like hearing aid, wheelchair, prosthesis such as leg, arm or eye, pulmonary apparatus (rental of ventilator or
respirator)
9. Non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures
● Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
● Laparoscopic surgery
● Endoscopic procedures
10. Transplant procedures
● Kidney Transplantation Package
● Liver Transplant Package
11. Cardio Procedures
● Pacemaker surgery
● Congenital Heart Surgery (ASD, PDA, VSD)
● Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
● Aneurysm surgery
● Peripheral bypass surgery
● Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Angioplasty)
● Diagnostic procedures for Coronary Angiogram or Cardiac Catheterization
12. Rehabilitative Therapy
● Physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

PCSO Medical Assistance requirements

At a minimum, the beneficiary will be asked to submit the following documents to apply for the PCSO IMAP Medical
Assistance.
● Duly accomplished PCSO IMAP Application Form.
 ● Original or Certified True Copy of the updated Clinical Abstract or Medical Abstract signed by the attending physician
with license number.
● Any valid ID (patient and representative)
● Authorization Letter from the patient in cases where there is no immediate relative available for interview.
Specific requirements
1. Confinement
Original copy of the Final Statement of Account/ Latest Hospital bill with printed name duly signed by the Billing officer/Credit
Supervisor with PhilHealth, Senior Citizen, HMO, MSS/ Discounts deductions
If Discharged: Validly-executed Promissory Note duly signed by the hospital representative or Certification with remaining
balance from the hospital
For Medico-Legal Cases: Copy of the Vehicular/Police Report
2. Chemotherapy
An original prescription with printed full name, signature, and license number of oncologist/ attending physician
Original copy of treatment protocol with signature, name, and license number of oncologist/attending physician
Photocopy of Surgical/Histopathology/Biopsy Result
Index Card for patients with previous assistance
3. Dialysis (Hemo/PD/Erythropoietin)
Acceptance Letter from the Dialysis Center/ Hospital accepting PCSO guarantee letter
Official Quotation from the Dialysis Center/ Hospital (for dialysis)
A prescription with printed full name, signature, and license # of the attending physician (for Erythropoietin)
Photocopy of relevant laboratory result/s within the last three (3) months
Index Card for patients with previous assistance
For PhilHealth Members:
4. Medical expense (Hemophilia and Post-transplant medicines)
A prescription with the printed full name, signature, and license number of the attending physician
Photocopy of relevant laboratory result/s within the last three (3) months
Index Card for patients with previous assistance
Programs

Charity Assistance Department Programs and services

Medical Access Program (MAP)

-It is the program for the provision of assistance to male and female individuals with health-related problems seeking financial
help, which is embedded on the premise of augmenting their funds, in partnership with government and private hospitals,
health facilities, medicine retailers and other partners.

Institutional Partnership (IP) Program

-The Institutional Partnership Program refers to the financial grant that augments the resources of the various welfare
agencies and charitable medical facilities in order to further extend the charity services of the government, particularly in the
medical and health needs of the poor and disadvantaged sector in the local communities.

Medical Transport Vehicle (MTV) Donation Program

This refers to the provision of medical transport vehicles to the Local Government Units at the provincial, municipal and city
located in the conflict-stricken areas and vulnerable communities and those geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas
in order to immediately and safely transport the patients to, from, and between locations with most efficient access to places
of treatment by land, water and areas of rough and mountainous terrain.

Integrated Health for Overall Productivity and Empowerment (I-HOPE)

This refers to the provision of access to the poorest provinces in the country on the agency’s charity programs and services
through funding assistance for the procurement of medical equipment and primary health care capability building packages
for the barangay health stations and rural health units.

Calamity Assistance Program

Calamity Assistance Program (CAP) refers to the provision of assistance to families and individuals affected by
calamities/disasters in appropriate form through the Local Government Units (LGUs), directly to individuals affected by the
calamities, health facilities and authorized agencies and entities created to address the needs of the country and its
communities during calamities/ disasters/medical emergencies.

Medicine Donation Program

Medicine Donation Program (MDP) is the provision of basic medicines and supplies to augment the resources of eligible
government and non-government, non-profit organizations and health facilities to enable them to reach out and deliver
effective health care services.

Out-Patient Services
The PCSO-Outpatient Services is the provision of general medicine consultation, basic/minor surgical procedures, dental
consultation and treatment, and medicines to the general public through the agency’s clinic.

Medical Services Department program and services

A. Outpatient Services Program

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM

Provides comprehensive health services for free.

OBJECTIVE

To provide equitable, efficient and effective health care services especially for the marginalized sectors through regular
operations of the Medical Services Department that will serve the medical, dental and other health related needs of the
general public.

TYPE AND SCOPE OF ASSISTANCE

 ● General medicine consultation
● Dental consultation and treatment
● Vaccination and Immunization
● Provision of free medicines through the Pharmacy Division

ELIGIBILITY

● Open to the general public

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

● Valid Government issued ID

 B. Auxiliary Ambulance Service

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM

A free ambulance service to patients who need to be transported.

OBJECTIVE

To provide health care service to indigent and other qualified patients through provision of free ambulance service.

TYPE AND SCOPE OF ASSISTANCE

● From one hospital to another

● From hospital to patient’s residence
● From PCSO facility to Hospital

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

● Letter of Request – Addressed to the PCSO Chairman/General Manager

● Medical/Clinical Abstract
● Certification from attending Physician the need for ambulance service
● Discharge Slip

C. Medical and Dental Mission

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM

Provides outreach health care activities in the depressed community within and outside of Metro Manila and nearby provinces
including provision of free medicines for those who have less or no access to health services offered by the Local
government.

OBJECTIVE

To provide equitable, efficient and effective health care services through medical and dental missions, in partnership with local
government units, non-government agencies, civic groups, religious organizations and other government agencies.

TYPE AND SCOPE OF ASSISTANCE

● Provision of medical consultation and treatment

● Provision of medicines for primary health care
● Provision of dental consultation and treatment, including tooth extraction, and preventive dental health education
● Referral to hospitals for diagnostic procedures and further management
● Referral to the Charity Assistance Department for availment of IMAP
● Train LGUs, NGOs, Civic group and others for the proper conduct of Medical/Dental Mission.

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

● Letter of Request – Addressed to the PCSO Chairman/General Manager

● Provide manpower to assist in the Medical & Dental Mission
● Consumption Reports from previous request (if any).
● Project Proposal with the following items:
○ Project Rationale
○ Project Objectives
○ Project Clientele/Area coverage
D. Medicine Donation Program

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM

Provides augmentation of the needed medicines in kind to qualified Government and non-government agencies enabling
them to deliver efficient and effective health care services.

OBJECTIVE

To provide qualified public and private institutions engaged in health programs, projects and health care services through
donation of basic medicines in kind (as a stop gap measure).

TYPE AND SCOPE OF ASSISTANCE

● Assistance shall come in the form of actual medicines and dental supplies;
● Frequency of assistance shall be once in six months;
● Amount of assistance shall vary depending on the classification of the requesting party specified below:

Who are qualified for assistance?

● LGUs, Government Agencies/Organizations and Government Health Institutions/Centers.

● Non-Government Health Institutions/Centers
● Non-stock, non-profit organizations or associations
● Socio-civic and other charitable institutions engaged in health and welfare-related programs and services
● Any of the eligible institutions listed above, provided no request for medicine donation has been filed by the said institution
/organization within the last six (6) months.
DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

● Letter of Request – Addressed to the PCSO Chairman/General Manager

● Consumption Reports from previous request (if any).
● Project Proposal which should Include the following information:
● Project Proposal with the following items:

○ Project Rationale
○ Project Objectives
○ Project Clientele/Area coverage
○ For NGOs (as the need arises) :
○ SEC Registration and endorsement letter from LGUs

Advocate (as a nurse)

How to be a patient advocate for patients in relation to PCSO?

There is a place called "PCSO HELP DESK" in affiliated hospitals.

This is specifically known as ASAP (At Source Ang Processing). This program aims to facilitate accessibility in the filing and processing of
requests for Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) for indigent patients confined in the affiliated hospital. Patients NEED NOT TO
GO TO PCSO office to file their request for assistance. They can immediately file their request and submit the necessary requirements at
the PCSO Help Desk. Nurses can help assist and provide referrals for the patient and family with the process of applying for a request for
assistance.

Educate the patient

Teach your patient about their injury, illness or condition, including any improvements or setbacks and how to
manage them. Use easy-to-understand language when explaining complicated medical terminology and ask the
patient if they have questions for you once you're done. The more a patient understands, the better they can
advocate for themselves, too.

1. Helping to make informed decisions

- One of the most basic ways that nurses may advocate for their patients is to ensure that they have the ability to make
health-related decisions for themselves. Nurses should take a patient's decisions seriously, especially if the patient is
alert and competent, even if the patient refuses to take a prescription or refuses therapy. When the doctor refuses, the
nurse must provide information and assistance to the patient so that he or she can make an informed decision.

Update the entire team

Whether it is in person, at meetings or through documentation and patient notes, it is imperative to tell the entire
medical team about any changes to patient symptoms, care or long-term plans along with any specific patient
wishes or concerns. Ensuring all medical personnel who interact with your patient know situational circumstances,
personal beliefs or cultural practices beyond medical needs is also an important part of advocating on behalf of
your patient.
Be present
You can help patients through advocacy by being present when important events happen, like when a doctor
makes rounds or talks with a patient about their diagnosis, treatment or progress. You can help your patient ask
questions, offer explanations or prompt other medical personnel to share more to help a patient understand.
Sometimes a patient may be more comfortable with you, and your presence alone can be a form of advocacy.

1. Making patients a priority

- The ethics of patient advocacy can create difficult situations. If a patient has a fatal illness, for example, family members
may dispute about how to care for him or her. Patients may merely want comfort measures, but their loved ones are
typically looking for ways to extend their lives. Regardless of the intentions of the family, the nurse has a responsibility to
meet the patient's needs in this situation. The patient must be the top focus for nurses.

Ensure safety
The health and well-being of all patients is a priority, and safety is key. You can make sure proper procedures get
followed, medical equipment gets stored correctly, and hazards or risks get reduced around the facility. For
example, making sure medication gets locked away or cleaning up spills on the floor immediately to prevent an
accidental slip or fall.

Double-check documentation
You can advocate for patients by being diligent in all documentation, paperwork, charting and directions. Consider
reading all orders carefully, double-checking with doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical personnel to
prevent any errors, conflicting orders, misinformation or oversights. The error itself may not be a big issue if it gets
caught in time to correct.
Give proper care
One of the best examples of consistent patient advocacy is doing your job well. Use your medical expertise to
conduct procedures properly and handle medically related tasks thoroughly. Be observant, pay attention to detail
and do your best for every patient every day. Treating patients with respect, compassion and dignity and
encouraging your colleagues to do the same is also an important part of proper care.

Offer resources
You can help a patient find relevant resources in and outside of your facility that can help them navigate their
medical path as part of advocacy. Learn more about organizations and resources in your community that provide
support, financial assistance, transportation, caregiving or other offerings. For example, a service that provides
homebound patients with meal delivery could help patients who have limited mobility while they continue
recovering at home. Other examples of providing assistance and offering resources include:

● The financial element of healthcare is another area that frequently necessitates advocacy. Nurses, rather than physicians or other
healthcare professionals, are sometimes more comfortable discussing the challenges families face as a result of treatment
expenditures. Nurses' discussions with patients can assist people avoid these scenarios by facilitating access to the healthcare
resources they require.
● Prescription medicine costs are one example. Nurses are educated about a range of resources that might help patients who are
having trouble paying for medicines and other healthcare services, whether they are available in local communities or through
healthcare organizations. Nurses can also be advocates for their patients by supporting them with cost-cutting research. This may
entail comparing one drug to another or interacting with physicians to uncover cost-cutting opportunities.
●

Listen to your patient

Advocacy is as much about listening as it is about speaking out. When you talk to your patient, actively listen to
their needs, wants, concerns and requests and take them seriously. They may not always be correct about what
they feel as it relates to a medical diagnosis, though their concerns are still a top priority, and hearing symptoms in
their own words can be lifesaving at times.

Teach patients how to self-advocate

Have discussions with your patients about how to self-advocate, and teach them ways they can put it into practice,
now and in the future. This can be helpful for times you are not available or not working and for the patient's overall
continued well-being. Here are some basic tasks you can discuss with patients to help them learn to advocate for
themselves:

● Writing a medical summary: Let your patient know how important an overview of their medical condition is,

and give them examples of documents to inspire their own. Offer to help write it for your patient, and include

elements like health conditions, allergies, medications and doses and contact information for their primary

doctor or other physicians.

● Choosing healthcare providers through trusted sources: Encourage your patient to use trusted

resources to research doctors, dentists and other health experts. Stress the importance of feeling

comfortable with their decision and suggest they have a face-to-face interview or conversation with

prospective medical professionals.

 ● Asking for good communication: Let your patient know they have a right to understand their healthcare,

including asking for a language interpreter if there are communication barriers. Translators often work for

hospitals or medical facilities specifically to help patients understand what is happening.

● Seeking inpatient alternatives: Many treatments are available through at-home visits, and patients with

compromised immune systems or other vulnerabilities should advocate for them rather than having an

unnecessary hospitalization, which can increase the risk of infection.

● Developing personal health knowledge: Encourage your patient to continue learning more about their

condition, illness or injury through reliable health websites, literature and organizations. The more they

understand about procedures, diagnoses, medications and care, the better they can continue to

self-advocate.

Liaison with family

Part of successful patient advocacy involves communicating with family members. You can help inform, educate
and train family members on the condition, injury or illness of your patient, or you may need to intervene in unsafe
family situations, like neglect or improper living conditions.