The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has turned over more than P82 million to the Commission on Higher Education for the first quarter of 2023.
“Bilang pagsunod sa aming mandato, nakapagbigay kami ng P82,176,035.50 sa CHED para sa kanilang pondo na gagamitin sa pagpapabuti ng ating mga higher learning institutions sa bansa,” PCSO Chairman Junie E. Cua said.
The PCSO is required to provide a contribution equivalent to one percent of the gross sales of the lotto operation.
“We have already informed Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. about our contribution, which I hope the administration can use to improve our higher learning institutions,” he added.
Republic Act No. 7722 or the Higher Education Act of 1994 mandates that the charity agency contribute part of its revenue for the Higher Education Development Fund, which would be used to strengthen higher education in the country.
The PCSO is required to provide a contribution equivalent to one percent of the gross sales of the lotto operation.
Cua said that with the first quarter contribution, the PCSO is on track to match or even exceed the amount released for the HEDF in 2022.
The agency’s HEDF contribution last year amounted to P266,457,014.90.
“Naniniwala tayong matatapatan o mahihigitan pa natin ang naibigay natin sa CHED sa nakaraang taon,” Cua said.
Cua also underscored the importance of the HEDF amid challenges to learning that have been exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We realize how important the PCSO’s role is in ensuring that our higher learning institutions stay up to the task of educating our youth, which in turn is crucial in our nation’s development,” Cua said.
“This recognition of our role motivates us to work harder so that the Filipino youth can have a brighter future,” he added.
