PAGCOR and FBM Gaming extend aid to jeepney drivers
Wed | 09.30.2020 | 8:10 PM
FBM Country Manager Amarillo Costa (4th from left) hands essential kits to Pasay Traffic Head Alpha Fortaleza. Looking on are (from left) PAGCOR’s Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Jimmy Bondoc, Asst. Vice President of Community Relations Ramon Stephen Villaflor, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea D. Domingo, Pasay City Mayor Imelda ‘Emi’ Calixto Rubiano, and Congressman Antonino “Tony” Calixto. 
Pasay City jeepney drivers happily receive the relief packs donated to them by PAGCOR and FBM.THOUSANDS of distressed jeepney drivers who were affected by the temporary suspension of public transportation in Metro Manila received much-needed assistance after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and a global gaming brand teamed up to distribute various essential goods.
FBM Global Brand, a digital platform that caters to the electronic bingo market and slot machines, donated essential kits containing food, facemasks and alcohol gels to the jeepney drivers from Parañaque & Pasay.
Because of the pandemic, they were left without a source of income for months as strict quarantine protocols banned public utility vehicle services to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 infections.
According to FBM founder Rui Francisco, they were moved by the plight of the jeepney drivers since most of them have resorted to begging in the streets for survival.
"The jeepneys are one of the symbols of the Philippines' culture and economy. After realizing the tremendous effect of the pandemic on the jeepney drivers, we decided to organize a donation distribution with PAGCOR to help them and their families," Francisco said.
During the commencement of the relief operations on September 29, 2020, a total of 600 essential kits were distributed to the jeepney drivers in Parañaque. The activity was held at the San Dionisio Gym in Parañaque City.
The following day, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo graced the distribution of 1,200 essential kits to the jeepney drivers at the Philippine School for the Blind in Pasay City.
In her speech, Domingo acknowledged the relief assistance extended by FBM to the transport sector despite suffering huge revenue losses due to strict gaming restrictions imposed by the government in quarantine-controlled areas.
“Kahit na ang FBM ay hindi masyadong kumikita o walang kita sa mga panahong ito, nakasama pa rin namin sila sa pagtulong sa mga drivers na halos pitong buwang walang hanapbuhay,” she said.
Domingo added that the pandemic has affected PAGCOR’s revenue generation efforts, but the agency remains steadfast in its commitment to nation building.