In support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s program to provide all local government units with patient transport vehicles or PTVs, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation on Wednesday turned over such vehicles to five more LGUs and institutions.
We will always support efforts that reflect the best of who we are as a people: resilient, selfless, and ready to help those in need wherever they may be.
– Alejandro H. Tengco,
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) gave Php6.9 million in cash incentives to members of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) and Philippine Air Force personnel who were deployed to Myanmar following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that hit the country last March 28.
During a ceremonial turnover held on Friday, July 4, at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, each of the 138 responders received Php50,000 in recognition of their role in the 12-day humanitarian and search-and-rescue mission.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the agency will always be ready to support the country’s humanitarian missions overseas.
“We honor not just your bravery, but the compassion that defines Filipino humanitarian missions,” he said. “We will always support efforts that reflect the best of who we are as a people: resilient, selfless, and ready to help those in need wherever they may be”.
The PIAHC team from the Office of Civil Defense, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Emergency Response Team, and the Department of Health was sent to Myanmar last April 1.
The team provided medical and logistical support in the aftermath of the disaster which resulted in over 2,000 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries in Myanmar.
While on the ground, the Philippine contingent operated a Type 1 Fixed Field Hospital in Pyinmana, Naypyidaw, where they treated 1,056 patients with various medical conditions.
Search-and-rescue operations were also conducted in coordination with local authorities.
Lt. Col. Erwen Diploma, Contingent Commander, acknowledged the challenges faced by the team, citing the physically demanding environment and the emotional toll of witnessing the aftermath of the disaster.
“This support from PAGCOR is a strong message that the efforts of Filipino humanitarian responders are valued and recognized,” Diploma said.
PAGCOR in turn received a plaque of appreciation from the Department of National Defense for its support to foreign humanitarian deployments, including the agency’s earlier assistance to the Philippine contingent in Türkiye in 2023 for which PAGCOR gave Php4.1 million.
PAGCOR Senior Vice President for Security Raul Villanueva received the plaque on behalf of PAGCOR Chairman Tengco.
