By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANILA HOTEL — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Friday (Sept. 5) hosted its Charity Summit 2025 with the theme “Serving More Through Greater Collaboration.”
The summit aims to showcase PCSO’s charity program achievements, reinforce inter-agency cooperation, and share best practices in public service and humanitarian efforts.
By gathering partners in one platform, the event underscores PCSO’s commitment to fostering stronger collaboration, ensuring more accessible, impactful, and sustainable services for Filipinos nationwide.
PCSO Chairperson Judge Felix P. Reyes (Ret.) said “it is an immense pride and gratitude to welcome all of you in the PCSO Charity Summit.”
Reyes cited the theme “Serving More Through Greater Collaboration.”
“Today’s theme is not only a slogan but a call to action,” he said.
“PCSO has long been a pillar of strong community. Let this day be a part of sparking new ideas,” he added.
“Let the commitment in the Commitment Wall will not just be a promise,” Reyes said.
DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) Undersecretary for Operations Monina Josefina Romualdez said “in behalf of Sec. Rex Gatchalian, it’s an honor to stand before you in the 2025 PCSO Charity Summit.”
Romualdez said that the challenges facing our countrymen are far-reaching.
“Collaboration is not just combining resources,” she said.
“Each of you here brings part of the solution where charity is not only giving but has become a movement,” she added.
“May we continue to strengthen the bond of compassion,” she said.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” A. Robles said “Kawanggawarriors is a combination of Kawanggawa and Warriors.”
“This will be our second year of celebrating The National Day of Charity,” Melquiades said.
He said “this year’s theme ‘Serving More Through Greater Collaboration’ is a reflection of our mission.”
Melquiades cited that since 2022, the PCSO has released P7.97-billion worth of aid benefitting 1 million Filipinos.
“Since 2022, we have released P68.28 billion to 122 partner agencies,” he said.
1,297 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) worth P5 billion were recently distributed.
“This was the biggest distribution of ambulances by the PCSO. It’s important that we democratize patient mobility,” Melquiades said.
“By the end of this year, the PCSO is committed to distribute another 375 PTVs among the 1,400 LGUs (local government units),” Melquiades said.
The PCSO will also be partnering with more NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and CSOs (civil society organizations).
“If politics is addition, I believe charity is multiplication,” Melquiades said.
He cited the Bible miracle about the feeding of the 5,000 people out of five loaves, but what is important, is that more loaves were left.
Ryan Joseph Sarte, Director III & Head of the Presidential Action Center, said that the Presidential Action Center has long stood as the frontline of the Office the President.
Sarte stressed the policy of governance of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr that “No Filipino is left behind”.
Sarte cited the establishment of the Presidential Help Desk to address the concerns and problems of the Filipino people.
Rey Valena, Acting Vice President, Corporate Affairs Group of PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation), said “in behalf of PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado, we are expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the PCSO.”
Valena noted that PhilHealth has participated during the first National Day of Charity with PCSO last year in Pasig City.
He stressed that all Filipinos wherever they are in the Philippines, they are automatically considered as PhilHealth members.
As PhilHealth members, Filipinos are guaranteed with the benefits under the Universal Health Care Law.
All Filipinos are entitled to PhilHealth benefits such as the Zero Balance Billing as ordered by President Marcos, Jr.
Previously, there were only 90 dialysis sessions a year, and the PhilHealth Board has decided to increase it to 194 sessions a year or from P2,000 to P6,000 per session as covered by PhilHealth.
The coverage of PhilHealth for hemorrhagic and schemic stroke has also been increased.
Leptospirosis coverage has also been increased to P20,000 to P30,000.
Visual impairment, aside from eyeglasses, assessments are also covered by PhilHealth.
Coronary Heart Bypass benefit has been increased from P550,000 to P600,000 to P650,000.
Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (Yakap) has been strengthened for all Filipinos whether sick or not as announced by President Marcos during his fourth SONA last July 28.
There are free laboratories and 6 available cancer screening based on existing guidelines such as for breast cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer.
54 more medicines for free to be prescribed by physicians, which were previously incorporated in Konsulta Package were added for the common ailments of Filipinos.
By 2026, PhilHealth is targeting to increase the free medicines to 75 medicines.
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, lahat po tayo ay malayo sa sakit,” Valena said.
Also present were PCSO Board Directors, including Imelda Papin, and the Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines.
The ceremonial release of checks amounting to P246,310; P296,793; P400,000; P500,000; (2) P594,000; P600,000; P800,000; and P1 million, respectively to PCSO’s institutional partners and beneficiaries such as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Red Cross (PRC), among others, was also held.
San Juan City Mayor Francisco “Francis” Javier M. Zamora, President of the League of Cities of the Philippines, said that he came all the way from the DILG-NAPOLCOM in the culmination of the National Crime Prevention Week.
Zamora is also the Chairman of the Metro Manila Council (MMC).
Zamora said that PCSO is important so much so that PCSO first before San Juan.
He said “all of you are part of the success of PCSO.”
Zamora stressed that the PCSO is very helpful to the mayors and the LGUs. ###
