PCSO saves great deal in first half of the year

By Robbie Pangilinan

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)’s on-line lottery sector has surpassed itself yet again in savings for January to June 2013.
               A total of P149,078,507.93 in savings was generated from rental expenses, equipment leave agreement and thermal and bet slips (paper for lotto bets and receipts for lotto payments).

PCSO Chairman Margarita P. Juico added that the agency has also saved from streamlining of processes, institution of reforms, reduction by 20% of the cost of medicines from the lowest-priced formulary, rationalization of personnel, LGUs’ donation of office space for PCSO branch offices nationwide, cost cutting measures and judicious spending, review of our game’s prize structure and strict fiscalization, and negotiations with existing suppliers for a reduction in prices.

“The Board made a commitment to each other and to PCSO to do whatever will be beneficial to the institution and not to themselves and wasted no time in instituting internal controls, fiscal discipline and good governance. We revoked contracts which were found to be disadvantageous to PCSO, reviewed and revised board resolutions which did not sit well with what we intended to do, we did a time and motion study as well as a workflow of all processes especially the frontline services to ensure punctual, effective service was rendered,” shares the Chairman. 

Further, the once co-mingling of operating, charity and prize funds was segregated. Before, there was no way of knowing which fund was already used up. The segregation required a serious review of budget utilization, meaning spending within the limits as apportioned in a year. The PCSO also had an annual procurement plan based on the corporate operating budget as well as a review of administrative processes and financial policies.

In order to maintain this, Chairman Juico has the following strategies: “We are almost done with the rationalization plan of the office.  We try to put good people in positions of responsibility. We try to empower them with the right attitude and behaviour. We implement good governance habits so that long after we are gone, they can stand up against any board member or person who will make them do otherwise.”