THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is contemplating on creating a special fund for athletes who need medical assistance.
PCSO Chairperson Junie E. Cua told the media in a news briefing on August 2, 2022, held at the PCSO headquarters in Mandaluyong City that the plan came after the agency pooled funds to help defray the medical expenses of Asia’s sprint queen, Lydia de Vega-Mercado.
“PCSO to come to people in need. Lydia de Vega brought honor to the nation that is why we need to give her special attention. We are making PCSO a united family so we can help more people,” he said.
Cua and other PCSO officers held a news briefing as they handed to De Vega’s family P500,000. The amount was pooled from the funds of the PCSO Office of the General Manager and those of the board of directors.
Cua said they responded to the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support Lydia de Vega.
“Because of this call the PCSO family responded by giving medical assistance to de Vega,” he said.
De Vega is currently confined at the Makati Medical Center for her breast cancer treatment.
Melquiades A. Robles, vice chairperson and general manager, said the PCSO called for a press conference “to call for more institutions to help to the family of Lydia de Vega.”
“What we gave is not enough as Lydia de Vega needs more. Sama-sama, tulong-tulong tayo para maraming matulongan,” Robles added.
Stephanie Mercado de Koenigswarter, de Vega's daughter, said she hopes that the “PCSO’s assistance will encourage others to also help us.”
“On behalf of the family, we sincerely express our gratitude for the assistance that Mr. Cua and Mr. Robles of PCSO gave to us. My mother needs the medical assistance required with the critical condition she is in,” she added. (PR)