Christmas came early for a 47-year-old tricycle driver from Guiguinto town in Bulacan province after claiming the PHP188.4 million jackpot prize of the Super Lotto 6/49.

The winner claimed the prize at the main office of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.

PCSO general manager Melquiades Robles handed over the check worth PHP188,471,378 to the winner who guessed the winning number combination 09-03-19-13-20-29 of the Oct. 23, 2022 Super Lotto 6/49 draw.

The claimant said he has been playing PCSO Lotto games and trying his luck for over 20 years.

“Matagal ko nang inaalagaan ang mga numerong ito. Madalas, tumataya ako kapag alam kong malaki na ang jackpot prize. Kaya sa pagkakataong ito, labis po ang tuwa kasi mababago na ang buhay namin (I have been taking care of these numbers for a long time. Most of the time, I bet when I know the jackpot prize is big. So this time, I’m very happy because our lives will change),” he said.

To avoid forfeiture of winnings, winners have one year from the date of the draw to claim the prize, as specified in Republic Act No. 1169.

The PCSO further reminds the public that all lotto jackpot prizes must be claimed at the PCSO Main Office, Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.

To claim prizes, winners must write their names and sign at the back of the winning ticket, and present two government-issued IDs.

The public is also reminded that prizes over PHP10.000 are subject to a 20 percent tax as provided in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

For the month of November, there were three sole bettors who bagged the jackpot prize of the state lottery agency.

Last Nov. 5, two bettors bagged the jackpot prizes in two separate draws, a bettor in Triangulo, Naga City bagged the jackpot of Grand Lotto 6/55 with a total prize of PHP29.7 million while another bettor from Pitogo, Quezon guessed the winning combination n the Lotto 6/42 draw with a total prize of PHP15,395,114.80.

On Nov. 4, a ticket sold in Taytay, Rizal province bagged the PHP21-million jackpot prize of the Mega Lotto 6/45.

The PCSO is urging the public to patronize its games to generate more funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities.

Through its mandatory contributions, the PCSO not only helps individuals in need of medical assistance but also provides funds to government institutions. (PNA)