Mindanaotoday.com | Quick Helping Hand of PCSO to the Province of Abra
By: Jerwin Palo Nohay / Justin B. Santos
Bangued, Abra – On July 29, 2022, less than twenty-four (24) hours after the President orders abrupt assistance for earthquake victims in Abra, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) led by PCSO Vice Chairman and General Manager Melquiades “Mel” A. Robles travelled to the province to release one (1) unit of Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV) and provide various medicines worth P400,000.00 and 1,500 food packs for the affected victims.
In a simple turnover ceremony held at Bangued, Abra, GM Robles handed over the medicines and food packs to Governor Dominic B. Valera and his daughter Vice Governor Ma. Jocelyn Valera-Bernos. According to him, there is a direct order coming from the President to give immediate aid to the Province which resulted to a swift action from PCSO.
He said, “Dahil sa utos ng ating mahal na Pangulo kaya nandito po kami sa harapan ninyo at mabilis nating dinala ang mga pangangailangan ninyo. We will give food packs and medicines for those affected of the tremors. Asahan nyo po na ang PCSO ay tutulong hangga’t kaya ng resources po namin and we will do our mandate to serve every Filipino.”
The father-and-daughter tandem expressed their gratitude to PCSO saying, “Sa ngalan po ng Provincial Government of Abra, maraming-maraming salamat po sa mabilis na aksyon ng PCSO. Malaking tulong po ito sa mga kababayan natin. Makakaasa po kayo na makakarating agad itong mga pagkain at gamot sa mga tao. Sana matapos na ang kalamidad na tumama sa amin.” Vice Gov. Valera-Bernos was also thankful to PCSO and wished for a continuous support for their province, “Salamat sa agarang tulong ng PCSO sa lalawigan ng Abra lalong-lalo na kay GM Mel. Ang hiling ko lang ay continuous assistance from PCSO for the repair of our Provincial Hospital, nagiba kasi siya ng lindol. Again, thanks to PCSO.” she said.
Meanwhile, after a public appeal from Mayor Joseph “JB” Bernos to PBBM for an additional ambulance for their devastated town, PCSO also released a brand new PTV Ambulance to the town of Danglas, Abra.
PCSO General Manager Mel Robles said “We responded to the call of the President. We always make sure that we have an ambulance to donate but we need to look at the circumstances. Of course if it’s an emergency or calamity like this, definitely ibibigay natin agad, kaya Mayor JB, hindi mo na kinakailangan lumuhod dahil heto na may magagamit na kayo especially pang-transport ng mga kababayan natin na may sakit at biktima ng lindol sa mga hospitals.”
Prior to this donation, eight (8) ambulances were donated by PCSO to the province of Abra.
Mayor JB Bernos took the opportunity to say thank you to the PBBM Administration and apologized to the public, “Yung gobyerno natin ay nakikinig, heto na at nararamdaman na natin sila. During the past few days I’ve been bashed in social media for appealing to the President. Sorry po sa mga nainsulto, and sorry for the words I uttered. Sinabi ko po yun to uplift my kababayans at di po tayo binigo ng Pangulo. Dali-dali umaksyon ang gobyerno sa tulong niya. Maraming salamat po.”
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is mandated under Republic Act No. 1169, as amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 42 and Presidential Decree No. 1157, to serve as the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services and charities of national character.
On July 27, 2022, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a magnitude 7.0 earthquake which jolted the Province of Abra. The epicentre is at the town of Lagangilang, Abra. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported ten (10) casualties. Due to this incident President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) has ordered the immediate delivery of relief assistance to the victims of the strong earthquake that hit the province. – (By: Jerwin Palo Nohay / Justin B. Santos / Photos by: Edwin Lovino).
“Sa mga Larong May Puso ng PCSO, may pag-asa ka nang maging Milyonaryo, nakatulong ka pa sa kapwa mo.”
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