As the country commemorates National Nutrition Month, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman Junie E. Cua reminded local government units that they may use the funds they receive from the agency for the nutrition needs of their constituents.
“We are one with the nation in commemorating National Nutrition Month. I would like to take this occasion to remind our LGUs that they may also use their PCSO shares for their nutrition programs,” Cua said.
Cua said that the PCSO is mandated to share lotto and STL proceeds to LGUs, with cities and municipalities receiving 5 percent, and provinces receiving 2 percent.
“I hope that these shares will help our LGUs implement their policies for children’s nutrition,” he added.
LGUs received nearly P1 billion in shares from lotto and small-town lottery (STL) proceeds. Lotto shares amounted to P395,224,629, while STL shares amounted to P552,948,639 for a total of P948,173,268.
Cua said that the PCSO is mandated to share lotto and STL proceeds to LGUs, with cities and municipalities receiving 5 percent, and provinces receiving 2 percent.
These are based on Executive Order No. 357-A requiring that LGUs receive their shares from the Charity Fund, and the 2020 STL Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.
According to Cua, these shares can be used for a broad number of health and medical needs, including medical/dental missions; medicine donation; hospitalization assistance; procurement of medical supplies/equipment; or milk feeding/nutrition program.
Cua, as a “special request,” called on LGUs to also prioritize their milk feeding/nutrition programs, in response to a National Nutrition Council (NNC) finding that around 35 percent or four out of 10 Filipino families in the country are unable to eat healthy and nutritious food.
“Dagdag pa rito, ayon sa United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), 95 batang Pinoy ang namamatay kada araw dahil sa malnutrisyon, habang 27 sa bawat 1,000 bata ang hindi na lumalagpas sa kanilang 5th birthday. At ayon naman sa World Bank, isa sa bawat tatlong batang Pinoy edad 5 taon pababa ang stunted o bansot,” Cua said.
The World Bank, meanwhile, said that undernutrition continues to persist and that one in every three Filipino children below 5 years old suffers from stunting, he added.
Cua also said that a special sweepstakes draw for the benefit of the Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines will be held on July 15.
