MANILA, Philippines — In line with the government’s universal health care, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) approved Thursday a total of P193.1-million grant for 86 government hospitals in regions of the country.

The PCSO is raising revenue for medical programs, health services, and charity of national character through its Charity Fund program.

PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II said the agency gets its Charity Fund from the proceeds of lotto games and other products.

For every peso of its revenue, he said, they allocate 55 percent for Prize Fund, 30 percent to Charity Fund, and 15 percent to Operating Fund.

"This year, the PCSO is strengthening its ties with partners and other beneficiaries so that more poor and needy patients can have access to medical and health care," said Rojas.

The 86 endowment funds recipient hospitals are located in the National Capital Region, 12; Cordillera Autonomous Region, three; Region I, five; Region II, 6; Region III, eight; Region IV, eight; Region V, six; Region VI, 4; Region VII, three; Region VIII, two; Region IX, four; Region X, three; Region XI, five; Region 12, three; CARAGA Region, 11; and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, three.

Resolution No. 026 (Series of 2012) gave the go-signal for the grant of the endowment funds.

PCSO Chairperson Margarita P. Juico and Board Directors Francisco Joaquin III, Ma. Aleta L. Tolentino, and Betty B. Nantes signed the resolution.

"Wherefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, to approve the grant of endowment funds to eighty-six (86) government hospitals in the total amount of (P193,100,000), charged to the Charity Fund, subject to availability of funds, and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations," the resolution said.

It was learned that Dr. Larry Cedro, manager and concurrent manager of Fund Allocation Department and Charity Clinic endorsed the grant and the names of the hospitals after an assessment he and his staff conducted.

On its website, the charity agency said the Endowment Fund Program "allocates funding assistance to government and private hospitals assistance to indigent patients in need of medical care, medicines, drugs, medical and surgical supplies, and diagnostic procedures for the management and treatment of various illnesses."