Tue| 12.14.2021 | 11:30 AM
THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) released a total of P108.86 million through separate cash grants to fund the respective projects of four recipients.
On December 7, 2021, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo led the turnover of P50 million donation to the city government of Marikina for the construction of two covered courts in barangays Calumpang and Barangka. While said structures will be utilized for various purposes, these will primarily serve as evacuations centers during heavy flooding in the city.
The Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH) also received P30 million from the state-run gaming firm for the procurement of brachytherapy machine, while the Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB) received P862,812 for the purchase of embossing machine – an apparatus used in the production of modules converted to braille. Braille is a tactile reading and writing system used by the blind and visually impaired to read print materials.
PAGCOR also donated P690,144 to Brgy. San Agustin, Malabon City for the procurement of 20 computer units. The state-run gaming firm likewise granted Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) P28 million for the procurement of medical equipment that will be utilized by the facility’s Trauma Center. Domingo also distributed 137 grocery packs to selected BGHMC frontliners.
According to the PAGCOR chief, the agency has been continually infusing much-needed funds for various projects in different communities nationwide to help uplift the lives of Filipinos, especially those who are gravely affected by the pandemic.
“We have yet to recover fully from the revenue losses we suffered due to the long period of irregular gaming operations, but we continue to share our financial resources as we have saved enough to help get many significant projects up and running,” she said.
BGHMC Director Dr. Ricardo Runez, Jr. said the cash donation from PAGCOR will be used to purchase CT Scan and Ultrasound machines, which they previously lack, to help in the early detection of COVID-19 cases and provide special care to more patients.
“If not for PAGCOR, I don’t think we will be able to realize our dream of procuring additional equipment to provide quality but low-cost healthcare services to those who need them most. Now, we can already accept more patients that require special care, especially in this time of the pandemic,” he expressed.
Coinciding with the turnover of grant to BGHMC was the turnover of the P10 million donation from the Resorts World Cultural Heritage Foundation, Inc. (RWCHFI) for the redevelopment of the Baguio City Post Office Park.