Thu | 04.02.2020 | 2:00 PM

Funds to fuel the country’s fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) continue to pour in after an international gaming firm donated P20 million to four public hospitals in Metro Manila.

FBM, a global gaming brand involved in video bingos, spin reel games, table games and video poker – donated via money transfer – P5 million each to the Philippine General Hospital, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

Recipient hospitals will use the cash to purchase medical equipment that are necessary to combat the pandemic.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo said the state-gaming agency received a letter from FBM expressing the latter’s willingness to help curb the pandemic by helping some of the public hospitals which are at the forefront of COVID-19 battle.

“We are very thankful that many of our licensed gaming entities are expressing eagerness to help. Because of this shared bayanihan spirit, we are reminded that we are not alone in our battles. With the help of every willing organization, we have all been doing our share to flatten the curve,” she said.

Meanwhile, FBM founder Rui Francisco said their company puts premium on the well-being and safety of hundreds of Filipino families, hence they decided to help the hospitals by making a solid investment on medical equipment.

"Caring is one of our main values as a brand and we take it very seriously when it comes to our people, our clients, and our games. We could not step aside from this cause. The Philippines means so much to FBM as a nation that we could not ignore its people when they need us the most."

Francisco added that they chose the hospitals to make an impact in the community "because we know that their professionals are some of the heroes in this daily battle against the virus and they must be properly equipped to take care of us."

FBM has a legacy of 19 years in the gaming industry. After conquering the leadership of the video bingo market, FBM focused its expansion campaign on Europe and Central America.

Earlier, PAGCOR also facilitated the distribution of P200 million worth of essential items from the Entertainment City casino licensees and P150 million worth of hospital supplies from its Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) licensees.

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