MANILA – Local government units (LGUs) can utilize their share of revenues from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) lotto games and small town lottery operations (STL) to provide medical services to their constituents, the agency said Tuesday.

“I also remind the LGUs that they have a wide latitude in using their PCSO shares for the health and medical needs of their constituents. Maaaring gamitin ito para sa pagbigay ng gamot sa mga komunidad (This can be used to provide medicine in the communities),” PCSO chairperson Junie Cua said in a statement.

The PCSO is mandated to share the proceeds to LGUs where lotto tickets are sold, with cities and municipalities receiving 5 percent, while provinces receive 2 percent.

Executive Order 357 signed in 1996 by the late former president Fidel Ramos provides for the grant of a 5-percent share from the 30 percent Lotto Charity Fund in favor of LGUs where lotto tickets are sold.

LGUs across the country received close to PHP1 billion share from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) in 2022 to augment their funds for health and medical services.

According to the PCSO’s 2022 Accomplishment Report, LGUs received PHP948,173,268 in shares from lotto and small town lottery (STL) proceeds.

Lotto shares amounted to PHP395,224,629, while STL shares received by LGUs amounted to PHP552,948,639.

Cua also urged the public to immediately consult with doctors or go to the nearest health centers when experiencing flu-like symptoms.

He said Metro Manila residents can avail of free consultation at the PCSO Main Office Multi-Specialty Clinic in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 12 this year, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 114,127 cases of flu-like illnesses, up 52 percent from the same period in 2022.

According to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, Davao Region logged the highest number of cases, with 18,656; followed by Northern Mindanao with 15,585, and Central Visayas with 13,280.

The Zamboanga Peninsula recorded the highest increase in cases at 268 percent or from 1,407 to 5,178; while Metro Manila had a 142-percent increase or 2,636 to 6,372, and Ilocos, 138 percent or from 2,955 to 7,026. (PNA)