In Case You Missed It: PhilHealth Animal Bite Package covers PHP 5,850 for services against highly fatal rabies

by Info @Brand Zone | Mar. 19, 2025

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PhilHealth PR No. 2025-16 March 18, 2025

The Department of Health announced that for the year 2024, all 426 recorded rabies cases resulted in deaths. Forty-five percent (193) of these were bites from domestic pets, and of  that percentage, more than half were of unknown vaccination status.  

“Hinihikayat natin ang ating mga miyembro na huwag mag-atubiling magpatingin kung sila ay  kinagat o di kaya’y kinalmot ng hayop, alaga man o hindi. Ang rabies ay isang lubhang  nakamamatay na sakit ngunit maaari itong maiwasan kung agarang mabibigyan ng bakuna,”  said Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, PhilHealth President and CEO.  

Rabies remains to be a significant global health threat, causing 60,000 to 70,000 reported deaths annually. The Philippines ranks sixth among countries with the highest rabies incidence. In fact, from January 1 to March 1 of this year, 55 rabies cases have been tallied.  

In recognition of the burden of rabies in the country this National Rabies Awareness Month, PhilHealth reiterates that there is a benefit package that members could avail to cover for services against rabies. The Animal Bite Treatment (ABT) package, which has been  increased to P5,850 from the previous P3,000, covers essential post-exposure prophylaxis including rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin for immediate protection, local wound  care, tetanus toxoid and anti-tetanus serum, antibiotics, and supplies which include syringes,  alcohol and antiseptics.  

“Kami sa PhilHealth ay nakikiisa sa National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee sa  kanilang kampanyang rabies-free na pusa’t aso, kaligtasan ng pamilyang Pilipino. Ang ABT  Package ay maaaring makuha sa higit 700 accredited ABT Package Providers sa bansa, at  patuloy pa natin itong dinadagdagan. Gayunpaman, pinaaalalahanan natin ang publiko na  ang unang hakbang sa pag-iwas sa rabies ay ang pagpapabakuna ng ating mga alagang  hayop. Let us all be responsible pet owners,” added Dr. Mercado. 

For more details on anti-rabies benefits and other packages, members may call PhilHealth’s  24/7 touch points at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968- 865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812.  

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PCSO Launches Responsible Gaming Awareness Day

by Info @Brand Zone | Mar. 18, 2025

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Photo shows Responsible Gaming (RG) banner prominently displayed in front of the PCSO Main Office Conservatory Building, Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) officially launched Responsible Gaming Awareness Day on March 10, 2025, themed "Play Smart, Play Safe." 

This initiative highlighted the agency's commitment to fostering a culture of mindful play and player protection.

PCSO is dedicated to ensuring that gaming remains an enjoyable and safe activity while generating funds for charitable causes. 

General Manager Mel Robles emphasized that gaming is not just about numbers and luck; it’s fundamentally about people. 

"We continuously refine our strategies to prevent potential problems before they arise," he stated.

"Responsible gaming is not merely a policy; it is a core principle embedded in PCSO’s operations," Robles added.

 "From employee training to game design, marketing, and stakeholder engagement, every initiative reflects this commitment."

 Last year, PCSO achieved Responsible Gaming Level 2 certification from the World Lottery Association, underscoring its dedication to promoting a secure and responsible gaming environment. 

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To support this ongoing advocacy, PCSO has implemented several measures to promote responsible gaming: 

- Employee Training: Staff are equipped with skills to identify and address problematic gaming behaviors, while authorized agents are trained to encourage safe play.

- Game Design: PCSO’s games incorporate responsible gaming principles, including clear rules, age verification, and features that promote mindful play while discouraging excessive spending.

- Ethical Marketing: All promotional efforts are conducted with integrity, ensuring messages are appropriate and do not target vulnerable individuals, especially minors.

- Accessible Resources: Players are provided with information and resources about responsible gaming and where to seek assistance.

Activities for Responsible Gaming Awareness Day

In celebration of Responsible Gaming Awareness Day, PCSO organized various initiatives to engage employees, stakeholders, and the public:

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1. Public Displays – Banners promoting responsible gaming were showcased at the PCSO main office and across official social media platforms.

2. Social Media Engagement – The PCSO used and the public joined the conversation using the hashtags #PlaySafePlaySmart, #PlayResponsible, and #ResponsibleGaming to raise awareness online. 

3. Employee Training – Specialized training sessions were conducted for PCSO officials and staff to reinforce their role in advocating responsible gaming practices.

4. Brochure Distribution – Informative brochures on responsible gaming were distributed at PCSO booths, accompanied by small tokens to encourage public engagement.

PCSO also encouraged its stakeholders—Lotto outlets, STL stations, and authorized agents—to actively support the campaign.

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“The journey toward responsible gaming is continuous, requiring collaboration and accountability. PCSO remains dedicated to enhancing its initiatives, adapting to evolving challenges, and ensuring that gaming remains a source of entertainment while prioritizing player well-being,” GM Robles stated.

“Gaming should be exciting, enjoyable, and, above all, safe.”

Through education, prevention, and advocacy, PCSO reaffirms its commitment: Play Smart, Play Responsibly!

For more information about PCSO’s Responsible Gaming initiatives, visit www.pcso.gov.ph or follow us on our official social media platforms.

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PCSO Provides Mobility Aids to Talisay, Camarines Norte

By: Justin B. Santos/Photos by Arnold T. Ramos

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The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) continues its commitment to supporting Filipinos in need by providing essential mobility aids to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.

On March 11, 2025, PCSO formally turned over 30 wheelchairs and 30 canes to the Municipality of Talisay, Camarines Norte, in a ceremony held at the PCSO Conservatory Building. Representing PCSO was Assistant General Manager (AGM) Arnel N. Casas of the Charity Sector, while Vice Mayor Maria Cristina Arevalo accepted the donation on behalf of the municipality.

Vice Mayor Arevalo expressed her gratitude to PCSO, emphasizing the impact of the donation on the community:

“We sincerely thank PCSO for their generosity and continuous support. These mobility aids will make a significant difference in the lives of our PWDs and senior citizens, giving them greater independence and improving their daily lives.”

PCSO remains steadfast in its mission to provide medical and financial assistance to Filipinos in need, reinforcing its advocacy for inclusive and accessible healthcare support across the country.

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PCSO, Hindi umuurong sa Pagtulong!

PhilHealth: President In Action: Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado convenes the Technical Advisory Council to refine disease coverage selection process

by Info @Brand Zone | Mar. 14, 2025

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Council Members consist of Dr. Tessa Tan-Torres Edejer, health economist who served as  the Coordinator of the Unit on Costs, Effectiveness, Expenditure and Priority Setting in the  Department of Health Financing and Governance (HGF), WHO in Geneva; Dr. Carlo Irwin  A. Panelo, health systems, policy and financing expert; Honesto A. Nuqui, Jr., actuary,  mathematician, and seasoned insurance executive; Dr. Michael L. Tee, university professor,  scientist, and chancellor; Dr. Valerie Gilbert T. Ulep, health economist and well-published  senior research fellow; Dr. Vivencio Jose Villaflor, a practicing surgeon and seasoned  hospital administrator; and Henry Aguda, information technology and digital transformation  expert.

.PhilHealth PR No. 2025-15 | March 13, 2025 | Reference:  Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas

The PCEO Mercado convened the Technical Advisory Council (TAC) for its second meeting  on March 10, 2025. The session focused on improving actuarial assumptions and refining  the disease coverage selection process. 

During the meeting, experts discussed practical ways to strengthen actuarial projections that  will directly benefit PhilHealth members. The council emphasized the need for more detailed,  market-based assumptions that assess whether current healthcare providers can actually  deliver the covered services.  

"By improving our actuarial assumptions, we can better predict healthcare costs and  utilization patterns," explained the PCEO Mercado. "This means we can expand benefits in a  sustainable way while ensuring members can actually access the care we're promising." 

The TAC supported the President and CEO's direction to expand coverage for high-cost,  high-burden diseases to increase access to critical services. For members, this translates to  greater financial protection against catastrophic health expenses that previously caused  significant hardship for many Filipino families. 

"Going granular means understanding if our current healthcare infrastructure can deliver the  services we're covering, and developing strategies to create robust markets where they don't  exist. Ang ibig sabihin po nito, alam natin hindi lang kung nasaan ang mga doktor at iba pang  mga propesyonal, ngunit alam din natin kung ilang pasyente ang kaya nilang tingnan sa  isang araw nang hindi bumababa ang kalidad ng serbisyong pang-medikal," added the  PhilHealth President and CEO. "When we promise coverage for a condition, we want to  ensure our members can find qualified providers to deliver that care without excessive out of-pocket expenses or long travel times." 

Council members committed to developing a practical framework that will guide this  expansion while ensuring service delivery capability.

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