THROUGH the years, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has been at the forefront of relief response in various communities that were gravely affected by natural disasters and other unfortunate events.
From 2016 to the present, the state-run gaming firm has released a total of P348.40 million to fund relief missions for the victims of typhoons, earthquakes, flood, fire and volcanic eruptions, the frontliners in the COVID-19 battle, as well as the less privileged households who were heavily affected by the strict community lockdowns.
Of the P348.40 million, P187.10 million was spent for disaster response.
When the Mayon Volcano erupted in January 2018, the state-run gaming firm organized relief efforts for tens of thousands of displaced residents in Albay. Aside from earmarking funds, the agency’s volunteer employees facilitated a month-long relief operations and feeding sessions, while the evacuees stayed in temporary shelters.
The agency also delivered swift aid to multitudes in Batangas province who were affected by the phreatomagmatic eruption of Taal Volcano in January 2020.
The state-run gaming firm also spearheaded the conduct of multiple relief operations and distributed 12,000 relief packs for the victims of calamities in 2021, among which were those displaced by Tropical Storm Maring in La Union, Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet.
PAGCOR likewise sent quick relief to families and individuals affected by the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette in Visayas and Mindanao in December 2021.
The agency, through the Philippine Navy, delivered relief packs containing water, rice, canned goods, instant noodles and coffee, to a total of 10,000 recipients from the calamity-stricken communities.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, PAGCOR released a total of P161.30 million to cushion the economic impact of the health crisis. The amount was used for the purchase of food and non-food items which were distributed to community and healthcare frontliners, as well as some marginalized communities.
The agency also procured 150,000 food packs which were turned over to various sectors and communities. Donations reached various local government units in Luzon that felt the economic pinch of the pandemic.
PAGCOR President and COO Alfredo Lim led the distribution of rice to the recipients in Alibijaban Island and Barangay Tala, whose residents are still in dire situation due to the global health crisis.
Meanwhile, the licensed casinos also chipped in their share in the delivery of relief to calamity victims and those severely affected by the global health crisis.
The Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI) of Solaire Resort and the City of Dreams’ Melco Resorts (Philippines) Foundation Corporation (MRP-FC) stood prominently at the forefront of providing relief to the victims of Typhoon Odette in Visayas and Mindanao by donating relief goods worth P50 million and P13.5 million, respectively.
Okada Foundation, Inc. (OFI), for its part, issued a grant amounting to P15 million for the conduct of relief operations for the victims of Typhoon Odette in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Cebu and Iloilo.
Also, OFI, seeking to alleviate the plight of individuals and families suffering from the effects of the pandemic, donated P130 million to various local government units to fund their respective programs and activities related to COVID response.
MRPFC gave P50 million worth of food packs, which was turned over to the Office of the President.
FBM, a supplier of electronic bingo machines and slot machines, likewise participated in the agency’s efforts by distributing essential goods to jeepney drivers and other members of society lost their sources of income due to the lockdowns.
On their personal capacities, the PAGCOR Executive Committee and friends extended donations to provide pails of healthy food to frontliners and marginalized communities around the country under the PAGkain Para sa Masa food caravan which has been going on for over a year.