Mon | 12.3.2018 | 2:30 PM

Every Christmas season, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) spreads cheer to thousands of underprivileged Filipinos through its Pamaskong Handog project.

On December 4, 2018, the agency will kick-off its annual gift-giving tradition which will benefit over 13,000 individuals under the care of 30 institutions nationwide.

PAGCOR Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Jimmy Bondoc said the agency allocated more than P18 million for its gift-giving activity which will run from December 4 to 21, 2018. “We aim to reach out to more Filipinos in need by making them feel loved this Christmas season. Through our Pamaskong Handog program, we want to let them know that despite life’s many challenges, there is always a reason to hope and be happy,” he said.

Beneficiaries of this year’s gift-giving project include indigent and abandoned children, orphans, inidigenous people, sexually abused women, cancer patients, people with dissabilities, senior citizens, street sweepers, civil servants, solo parents, out-of-school youth, and children of military personnel who were either killed or wounded from combat.

The first beneficiary of PAGCOR’s gift-giving program is Lingap Pangkabataan Inc. (LPI), a child-focused Christian organization that implements various community development programs so that children especially the poor and the marginalized will be able to live a full life.

Founded in 1981, LPI has helped changed the lives of thousands of indigent, orphaned, destitute children along with their families through community-based interventions that are designed to educate and empower communities. Some of their notable programs are the Mobile Education for Child Protection which helps develop life-skills of street children through an Alternative Learning System; and the Balay Paglingap which provides temporary shelter to children who are victims or potential victims of trafficking and abuse.

This Christmas season, PAGCOR allocated more than P600,000 for LPI’s 625 beneficiaries. They will receive gift packs containing groceries during a grand Christmas party to be held in  Barangay Escopa III in Project 4, Quezon City.

LPI Executive Director Norman Franklin Agustin is grateful that PAGCOR is once again sharing its blessings to the children and families under their care. “We thank PAGCOR for this early Christmas gift and we hope to continue this partnership as we also continue to bring joy to everyone especially the less privileged children and youth,” Agustin expressed.

Fifteen-year-old Gene Lambon, one of the beneficiaries, said her life became better when she was introduced to LPI. She used to sell Sampaguita in the streets at the age of six. “Kung wala ang Lingap, wala ako.” Now she’s already in Grade 9 and Lingap continues to support her in her studies.

In 2012, Lingap Pangkabataan was also one of the beneficiaries of the agency’s “Bayanihan: Pamaskong Handog” where the institution’s reading center was renovated by PAGCOR. Six computer and printer sets were also donated to them.

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