THE PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office on Thursday turned over P17 million to the Commission on Higher Education as mandatory contribution.

The charity agency contribution is in compliance with Republic Act 7722 which mandates PCSO to provide CHED with 1 percent of its lotto gross sales.

Meanwhile, PCSO also distributed checks amounting to P32 million to different local government units in Metro Manila as shares for its Small Town Lottery.

The P32 million were divided among the cities of Taguig (P7,556.34), Pateros (P32,289.46), Makati (P25,647.27), San Juan (P98,695.12), Mandaluyong (P63,566.83), Manila (P9,287,534.54), Parañaque (P214,884.70), Muntinlupa (P232,289.36), Marikina (P384,369.48), Quezon (P15,069,633.41), Las Piñas (P2,731,702.76), Pasay City (P3,290,194.87) and Pasig (P637,780.28).

Local governments received a percentage from the total revenues of PCSO operations in their areas. These shares can be used for their respective projects.

PCSO General Manager Royina Garma urged other local government units to reconsider partnering with PCSO as it not only provides additional employment in the area but helps boost the economy.