GM Robles leads PCSO relief drive for Carina victims

'Branch offices to continue providing assistance in their areas'

THE PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) relief drive in Camanava and other areas finally pushed through on Thursday, a day after heavy rains and massive flooding enveloped huge areas of Metro Manila, which prevented them to immediately extend assistance to the victims of typhoon Carina.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles personally led the distribution of relief goods placed inside plastic water pails called “charitimba” in the cities of Valenzuela and Navotas.

The two cities were among the areas severely affected by the typhoon that brought heavy rains which were exacerbated by southwest monsoon or habagat.

This developed as GM Robles reiterated his earlier instructions to all PCSO branch offices and small-town lottery authorized agency corporations (STL-ACCs) to carry out relief drives in their respective areas.

The initiative was in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure prompt assistance to families affected by the typhoon.

"Our branch offices with STL-ACCs are simultaneously conducting relief drives nationwide", GM Robles said.

To recall, the PCSO team had planned to deliver relief goods Wednesday, but they had to return to the office due to impassable roads.

GM Robles handed over 500 Charitimba to Valenzuela Mayor Wesley Gatchalian at the Valenzuela Alert Center. Additionally, 500 more Charitimba were received by Jennifer Serrano, the representative of Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco.

Another 150 charitimba were handed to Chairwoman Florida Casaje of Barangay Damayan in Frisco, Quezon City.

In response to GM Robles’ call, among the PCSO branches and STL-ACCs that have conducted relief drives include:

• PCSO Rizal Branch, in partnership with Nineteen Aces Gaming and Amusement Corp STL-ACC, provided hot meals and groceries to more than 75 families at the evacuation site in Manuel Santos Integrated School, Barangay San Juan, Taytay, Rizal.

• PCSO STL-ACC Greatminds Games and Amusement Corp., with Muntinlupa Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac, conducted relief operations in Barangay Bayanan, Muntinlupa City.

• PCSO La Union Branch, with STL-ACC First La Union Leisure, distributed relief goods to 150 families affected by the typhoon in Bauang, Naguilian, and Caba, La Union.

• Pines Estate and Gaming Corp. in Benguet and Baguio STL-ACC donated 25 sacks of rice to families affected in the area. (PR)