PAGCOR and PCSO signal budget flexibility to support crisis funding

The Philippine gaming and lottery agencies told the Senate they could realign corporate budgets to sustain government aid programmes.

The Philippines.- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) have told lawmakers they are willing to realign portions of their corporate budgets to help fund government crisis assistance programmes. The statements were made during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo.

The hearing examined whether existing government funding would be sufficient to maintain programmes such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) amid global geopolitical tensions and potential economic disruptions. During the session, Tulfo asked whether PAGCOR and PCSO could provide additional support should key agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Agriculture, face shortfalls.

PAGCOR representative Atty. Janiene Marian Javier highlighted the agency’s contributions to government programmes, noting that PAGCOR generated approximately PHP106bn (US$1.76bn) in income last year, with PHP66bn (US$1.10bn) allocated to nation-building initiatives. She added that about 50 per cent of PAGCOR’s income is remitted to the national government, but indicated that the regulator could consider further support if requested.

“Perhaps, if the concerned agencies can suggest how we can provide assistance… this is something we can take into consideration, given our funding obligations,” Javier told the Senate panel.

PCSO general manager Atty. Lauro Patiag said that although the agency’s funds are programmed for health, medical assistance, and welfare initiatives, “one programme may be considered for realignment”.

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The Philippine gaming and lottery agencies told the Senate they could realign corporate budgets to sustain government aid programmes. The Philippines.- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) have told lawmakers they are willing to realign portions of their corporate budgets to help fund government crisis assistance programmes….