Sat | 12.12.2020 | 4::30 PM

SPMC representative Jeffrey Ramiso (left) and PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea D. Domingo sign the memorandum of agreement formalizing PAGCOR's P350 million grant to the health facility for a linac machine.

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) donated P350 million to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for the procurement of a machine used for cancer treatment.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo personally handed the grant to SPMC Executive Secretary Jeffrey Ramiso at PAGCOR’s Executive Office in Malate, Manila. The amount will be utilized to purchase a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine, an apparatus used to deliver external beam radiation treatment to cancer patients.

The LINAC machine will provide SPMC with a new alternative for treating cancer patients, aside from chemotherapy.

SPMC is a 1,500-bed capacity government hospital in Davao City. It is the first health facility in Mindanao to acquire an updated LINAC machine. Hospital chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega sought PAGCOR’s assistance in the purchase of an additional LINAC machine as its existing equipment could not fully accommodate the heavy volume of cancer patients seeking treatment.

The public medical facility provides free treatment to cancer patients in Davao using the LINAC machine under the Lingap Para sa Mahirap Program of Davao, which was started by President Rodrigo Duterte during his term as mayor of the city.

“SPMC lang ang mayroong updated LINAC machine sa buong Mindanao at madami talagang matutulungan ito once makapag simula na makapag-operate ito. At hindi kami nag-aalala pagdating sa pagpapatakbo ng SPMC dahil masugid na pinaglalaanan ito ng budget mula sa Lingap Para sa Mahirap Program.” Ramiso said.

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