The concept of charity is rooted and closely tied to religious practices and moral obligations in ancient times. It was seen as a duty to help the less fortunate, often driven by religious or philosophical beliefs. This practice was institutionalized in the Middle Ages with the establishment of hospitals, orphanages and other charitable institutions by the Church. In the 19th and 20th centuries, charity evolved with the establishment of large philanthropic foundations by wealthy individuals to address various social issues. Today, charity encompasses a wide range of activities and organizations, from small local initiatives to large international NGOs and efforts shifted toward sustainable development and addressing root causes of social issues.
In the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), charity is traced to the first lotteries during the Spanish period as these were conducted to raise funds for various causes such as sports projects for the Filipino youth and to help fund the fight against tuberculosis.
With the passage of Act No. 4130 in 1934 creating the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and mandating the agency to raise funds for public health and general welfare projects, the concept of charity continued to evolve, making the PCSO a vital institution in providing medical assistance, health programs and other charitable services.
The PCSO has shown its dedication to fulfill its mandate over its 90 years of existence through the provision of medical assistance, conduct of free medical and dentals services, establishment of an out-patient clinic, and its partnerships with qualified government and non-government welfare institutions/agencies that promote the well-being of the marginalized sectors of society.
Cognizant of all charitable efforts by both the government and private sectors and with the current government’s overarching theme “Bagong Pilipinas”, calling for deep fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, and visions to emphasize compassion, solidarity, and social responsibility among Filipinos, the President declared October 30 of each year as “National Day of Charity”. The PCSO, as the government’s charity arm, is directed to lead, coordinate, and supervise the observance of the National Day of Charity and identify the programs, activities, and projects for the celebration thereof.
Legal Mandate
The following laws serve as basis for the declaration of the National Day of Charity:
1987 Philippine Constitution, Section 9, Article II provides that the State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living and an improved quality of life.
Act No. 4130, as amended, created the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office with the aim of institutionalizing the Sweepstakes as a means to raise funds for the promotion of public health and general welfare.
Republic Act No. 1169 or an “Act Providing for Charity Sweepstakes, Horse Races and Lotteries” designated PCSO as the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character, through the conduct of charity sweepstakes races, lotteries and other similar activities.
The Logo of the National Day of Charity
The National Day of Charity logo was inspired by the painting of Pablo Amorsolo depicting a woman holding her arms out wide symbolizing freedom from hardships of the Filipino people (in blue palette), with the shape C representing “Charity”. It is the quintessential depiction of charity.
Objectives
The National Day of Charity is observed to raise awareness and encourage individuals and groups to implement charitable initiatives and philanthropic activities that can enrich community ties, improve other people’s well-being, and impact lives in tangible way.
Agencies at the national and local levels, as well as other stakeholders, shall be guided by the following general objectives in planning their “National Day of Charity” activities:
- Celebrate acts of kindness and generosity. Encourage volunteerism and active participation of individuals and organizations to participate in charitable activities;
- Highlight the collaborative efforts of government agencies, non-government organizations, and private sector entities in maximizing the reach and impact of charitable initiatives;
- Increase solidarity, social responsibility, and public support for charity;
- Generate funds to support various charity programs and mobilize resources to aid the less fortunate and vulnerable sectors of society; and
- Develop sustainable programs that can continue supporting beyond the National Day of Charity and implement strategies that ensure long-term impact and continuity of charitable efforts.
PCSO Organized Activities
The PCSO will hold a Charity Summit on September 5, 2025, aimed at bringing together various stakeholders to discuss and promote charitable activities and events across the Philippines to encourage collaboration among different sectors, including government agencies, non-government organizations, and private entities.
The PCSO will sponsor the PCSO Charity Run at the Ayala Triangle Gardens on October 12, 2025 with 3k, 5k, 10k and 21k events. The activity aims to promote health, fitness, and social responsibility while raising funds for various charitable causes. At least five (5) representatives from different government agencies are encouraged to join the Charity Run.
The PCSO, in partnership with Philippine Red Cross, shall conduct a blood-letting activity which aims to increase public awareness of the importance of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD) of safe and healthy blood in saving the lives of millions of Filipinos. Representatives from different GOCCs may participate in the event by coordinating with the PCSO Medical Services Department at msd@pcso.gov.ph or at 8441-26-12.
- D. Medical and Dental Mission
The PCSO will conduct a comprehensive medical and dental mission for a Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area aimed at delivering essential healthcare services to the community. This outreach initiative will focus on providing free medical consultations, dental examinations and extractions, and other vital health services. The mission seeks to promote preventive care, address immediate health concerns, and improve overall well-being, particularly among underserved and vulnerable populations.
- E. Distribution of ChariTimba
The PCSO will distribute ChariTimba to qualified recipients. This is intended to provide basic food supplies to the poor, the sick, and the marginalized sector of society. It serves as a symbol of government compassion, solidarity and gesture of empathy to the less privileged members of the community.
- F. Community Feeding Program
The PCSO will conduct a community Feeding Program aimed at fostering goodwill, promoting social responsibility, and extending compassion to the neighborhoods surrounding the agency. This initiative reflects PCSO’s commitment to uplifting lives through meaningful outreach, strengthening ties with local communities, and addressing immediate nutritional needs with empathy and care.
- G. First Aid Awareness Workshop for School Children
The PCSO, in partnership with Philippine Coast Guard, will conduct an interactive and age-appropriate first aid lessons for high school students which will cover essential life-saving skills for common school emergencies.
Charitable Activities
PCSO encourages government agencies, non-government organizations, sectoral groups, private entities, civil society organizations, and various stakeholders at national, regional, and local levels to organize meaningful activities aligning with the “National Day of Charity” (“NDC”). Possible activities include:
- A. National Day of Charity banner of support
i. Exhibit the National Day of Charity banner.
Display NDC banner prominently in front of offices, landmarks, and other designated areas. In addition, upload the digital version of the banner to your agency or organization’s official website and social media accounts. Banner materials are available for download in the National Day of Charity Webpage found in the PCSO Website.
ii. Use the official designs released by PCSO.
Stakeholders are encouraged to utilize the official advocacy profile photo, standard banner and FB frame for the NDC. Details and downloadable materials are available in the NDC webpage found in the PCSO Website.
iii. Use the official hashtag: #2025NationalDayofCharity #CharityInActionBuildingACaringNation.
This hashtag encourages individuals and organizations to come together to support those in need whether through donations, volunteer work, or other charitable programs to create positive change in our communities.
Photos during the conduct of activities related to the National Day of Charity shall be automatically shared and consolidated by PCSO for monitoring and reportorial purposes.
- B. “Kawanggawa Para sa Kapwa.”
- Public and private entities have the option to extend charitable acts or kind gestures to disadvantaged sectors, on or before October 30 of each year. These generous acts may include tokens freebies, discounts, special lanes, free services, and other promotions for the underprivileged or marginalized sector of society. Moreover, government and private organizations, can organize missions, fairs, or similar activities. These events can serve as platforms to disseminate information about efforts and initiatives aimed at uplifting the conditions of the disadvantaged sectors in the society, and encouraging charitable acts across the country, i.e. Libreng Sakay, Community Feeding Program, Medical and Dental Mission, Blood Donation Drive, Support for Orphanages and Elderly Homes, Free Legal Consultations, Libreng Gupit, Community Pantry, Operation Tuli, Community Library, among others.
- C. “Porsiyento ng Kita para sa Kawanggawa.”
- Consider setting aside a percentage of earnings for charitable endeavor/s to select organizations/ certain beneficiary.
- D. Coordination with the regional and local agencies.
- Coordination with the regional and local agencies aims to facilitate inter-agency activities focused on promoting and organizing charitable programs. By fostering cooperation at both regional and local levels, these initiatives contribute to more collaborative efforts in maximizing the reach and impact of charitable efforts.
- E. Red is the Color of Charity
- Red is the color of love and giving. Wear anything in color red on the 30th day of October to raise awareness regarding the National Day of Charity, and to show solidarity in our efforts to extend charity and to do acts of kindness and generosity.