Millions of underprivileged all over the country received on Sunday humanitarian aid from the Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office (PCSO) as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. Dubbed as the “100 Percent in One Day” project, the PCSO formally launched its medical, dental and feeding missions in all 41,995 villages of the Philippines in just one day.

“This is a first of its kind project in the Philippines that provides fast access to medical and charity care from PCSO and its partners to poor Filipinos all over the country,” said Rosario Uriarte, PCSO general manager and vice chairman, during the launching Sunday.

She said that the PCSO put up 2,000 medical mission sites all over the country, each site manned by four doctors, two dentist, four nurses and two pharmacists capable of serving  1,000 to 1,500 patients.

The medical personnel performed general checkups, minor surgeries—like removal of lumps— dental services, eye examinations, bone scan and ear check monitor.

Patients were also given free medicines, including amoxicillin drops and capsules; metropolol tablet; mefenamic acid; paracetamol drops and tablets; and ascorbic drops, tablets and syrups.

In Metro Manila alone, more than 150,000 beneficiaries lined up for free medical and dental services in some 100 locations.

The “100 Percent in One Day” project, Uriarte explained, was envisioned to be an annual activity that would serve as a vehicle for spreading the “charity virus” and make organized and systematic sharing coupled with volunteerism as a way of life for Filipinos.

Earlier on Saturday, Uriarte said, “PCSO has been doing monthly medical and dental missions for several years now. But this is the first time we’ll hold it in large scale in one day, targeting more than two million patients.”
Jefferson Antiporda With Report From Sammy Martin