Filtered By: Topstories
News

Aquino moves PCSO back to Office of the President


President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III has reverted control over the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to the Office of the President (OP) to "ensure the effective implementation" of his health agenda. Executive Order No. 14, signed November 19 but released only Wednesday, transfers the control and supervision of the PCSO from the Department of Health (DOH) to the OP effective immediately. The PCSO is the principal government agency that raises funds for national health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities through the popular "lotto" numbers game, among others. All eyes are on the Wednesday draw of the 6/55 Grand Lotto because of the jackpot, which an earlier report on dzBB radio said may go up to P620 million. The PCSO, currently chaired by Aquino family friend Margie Juico, was originally under the OP. However, it was moved to the Department of Social Welfare in 2004 and then to the DOH in 2005. According to EO No. 14, one of the main objectives of the OP is to "enhance the health services and charity programs to the public as well as to immediately respond on calamities, disasters relief and emerging illnesses." Aquino's order thus placed the PCSO under the OP "to ensure the effective implementation of the social agenda of the President as well as to effectively facilitate the health services and charity programs of OP." As a basis for the transfer of the PCSO, Aquino cited Book III, Title III, Chapter 10, Section 31 (3) of the Administrative Code of 1987 which authorizes the president to “transfer agencies to the Office of the President from other departments or agencies." – VVP, GMANews.TV

LOADING CONTENT