The city government of Imus accorded Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Cristino L. Naguiat, Jr. with one of the highest commendations given to individuals who contributed significantly to the development of the city.

Naguiat was hailed the “Adopted Son of Imus” during the city’s 27th Gawad Parangal which was held during the 239th founding anniversary of Imus, Cavite last October 7, 2014.

Imus City Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi said the PAGCOR chief is being recognized for his remarkable contributions to the city. “Isa sa mga tinitingnan para maging Adopted Son of Imus ay yung mga programa na ginagawa ng taong iyon para sa mga proyekto ng lungsod. Si Chairman Naguiat ay matagal ng tumutulong sa amin. Hindi pa siya umuupo sa position bilang PAGCOR Chairman ay tumutulong na siya,” he said.

Maliksi underscored PAGCOR’s support to Imus City, particularly the construction of school buildings in public elementary and high schools. “PAGCOR has given classrooms to the province of Cavite and many were built in Imus. Laking tulong ang mga school buildings na ito. Dati ang mga batang walang sapat na classrooms ay nag-aaral lang sa mga hallways, sa ilalim ng puno at sa covered court. Ngayon, dahil sa mga bagong silid aralan na naipatayo ng PAGCOR, mayroon na silang disenteng classrooms na pwedeng gamitin,” he explained.

To date, PAGCOR has already allocated a total of P302 million for the construction of 162 classrooms in various public schools in the entire Cavite province. Among the beneficiaries are two schools in Imus, Cavite. The Cayetano Topacio Elementary School received a two-storey, four-classroom building. Also underway is the construction of a four-storey, 20-classroom building at the General Emilio Aguinaldo National High School.

Apart from the construction of school buildings, Maliksi cited PAGCOR’s support in providing employment opportunities to the Caviteños through the PAGCOR’s Imus warehouse complex.

The local chief executive also highlighted PAGCOR’s various undertakings that helped uplift the lives of his constituents.  “Lately, PAGCOR donated used vehicles to our Imus Vocational and Training School (IVTS). These are now being used by the automotive students of IVTS. PAGCOR has also been supporting our environmental preservation initiatives by converting metal scraps from old slot machine stands into trash bins. These are now being distributed to various barangays,” he added.

School desks made from old slot machine stands were also distributed to various public schools in Imus including Bayan Luma I and Bayan Luma II Elementary Schools, Toclong Elementary School, Regay Day Care Center and Governor D.M. Camerino Elementary School.

For his part, Chairman Naguiat expressed his utmost gratitude to the local government of Imus for recognizing PAGCOR’s important role in the development of the city. “Isang malaking karangalan na ako ang napiling gawaran ng parangal bilang Adopted Son of Imus sa taong ito. Tinatanggap ko ang parangal ng buong puso sa ngalan ng PAGCOR,” he said.

Naguiat likewise thanked the city government of Imus for accomodating the PAGCOR warehouse for the longest time. “Bahagi na ng kasaysayan at buhay ng aming ahensiya ang inyong lungsod. Ang Imus ang nagsisilbong pangalawang tahanan ng mahigit 200 na empleyado ng PAGCOR na nagtatrabaho sa Imus complex.”

Apart from Naguiat, eight other individuals were recognized for excelling in their chosen fields of endeavour while doing their part in enriching the city. Among them were Ambassador Carlos Chan who received the Gen. Licerio C. Topacio Award for generating employment opportunities for Imus residents; Natividad Darvin-Enriquez (Gen. Juan Castañeda Award); Teacher Adora Del Mundo and Fire fighter Leoncio De Vega (Gen. Pantaleon Garcia Award); Leonore Joyse Lacson, Rundell Matthew Mojica and Pamela Mae Parcon (Gen. Cayetano P. Topacio Award); and Dr. Webster Alindog (Col. Jose S. Tagle Award).

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