The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has disbursed a total of PHP53.1 million through its medical assistance program in Pangasinan in 2025.

During the stakeholders’ meeting here on Friday, PCSO Pangasinan branch manager Christopher Pacalso said the amount has benefited 5,994 Pangasinenses who have sought assistance from their office.

The ten localities with the most recipients of medical assistance are the cities of Dagupan, Urdaneta, and San Carlos, and the towns of Lingayen, Binmaley, Calasiao, Mangaldan, Bugallon, Bayambang, and Sta. Barbara.

PCSO’s medical assistance program covers hospital confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis, medications, medical devices, implants, laboratory and diagnostic procedures, and major surgeries, helping ease financial burdens for indigent patients.

“This is from those who patronize PCSO’s gaming. The more sales we generate, the more we can give to the patients,” Pacalso said.

Aside from medical assistance, PCSO also distributed patient transport vehicles to the local government units (LGUs).

“We have provided patient transport vehicles to all the LGUs of Pangasinan in 2025,” Pacalso said, adding that the next distribution of ambulances will be after three years.

Last year, the PCSO also distributed “Charitimba” or family food packs to disaster-affected families in San Fabian, Bayambang, Mapandan, Binmaley, Lingayen, Tayug, and Dagupan City.

Pacalso said other LGUs may also avail of the “Charitimba” upon request to their office.

He appealed for the public’s continued support of their gaming products, which in turn provide various benefits to the people through their programs.

There are a total of 113 lotto outlets in almost all localities of the province, except in the towns of San Nicolas, Santo Tomas, and Bautista.

The LGUs with the highest lotto sales in 2025 in Pangasinan are the cities of Dagupan, San Carlos, Urdaneta, and Alaminos; and the towns of Calasiao, Lingayen, Rosales, Mangaldan, Malasiqui, and Mangatarem. (PNA)