MANILA — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will allot PHP6 billion for the Universal Health Care (UHC) program and Malasakit Centers next year.

“Nagagalak kami na ipaalam na effective next year, 100 percent we support the (Universal Health Care). May pondo. [We are glad to inform that effective next year, we are giving 100 percent support to the Universal Health Care. There are funds for that],” PCSO General Manager Royina Marzan-Garma told reporters in a press briefing in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday.

Following the enactment of the law establishing Malasakit Centers, the PCSO allotted PHP3.1 billion for these centers.

“Since the Malasakit (Centers) Act is now a law, the hospital partners will be present in Malasakit Center. We allotted funds for that, PHP3.1 billion na pwedeng ma-access ng ating kababayan (which the public can access) through Malasakit Center,” she stressed.

“Yan ang magiging direction ng PCSO next year, ito po ay naaayon sa charter [That will be the direction of the PCSO next year and it was based on the charter],” she added.

Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law a bill seeking to establish Malasakit Centers in all hospitals run by the Department of Health (DOH) across the country.

Currently, there are over 50 Malasakit Centers nationwide.(PNA)