Wed | 11.28. 2018 | 9:00 AM
For the longest time, providing immediate help to victims of calamities has been one of the major advocacies of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo said that providing immediate aid to calamity victims after a disaster is very crucial. “For most people, receiving swift aid means survival. It is one of the greatest acts of kindness that you can offer someone who is in dire straits,” she said.
Every year, at least 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Of these weather disturbances, the weather bureau reports that ten may become typhoons while five have the potential to be destructive.
Each destructive typhoon is tantamount to millions of pesos in damaged crops, infrastructure and livelihood. In worst cases, lives and properties are even lost.
This year alone, PAGCOR already allocated over P28 million for its relief operations in various parts of the country. One of the biggest recipients was the province of Albay, which was immensely affected by the Mayon Volcano eruptions from January to March 2018.
Aside from Albay, PAGCOR also reached out to calamity victims in Northern and Central Luzon, and the fire victims in several cities in Metro Manila.
According to Domingo, PAGCOR is able to earmark funds for victims of various calamities by regulating gaming and preventing the proliferation of illegal gambling in the Philippines.
Aside from relief operations, PAGCOR remits 50% of its revenues to the National Treasury. The agency also regularly remits a portion of its income to various mandated beneficiaries such as the Philippine Sports Commission, the Dangerous Drugs Board, cities hosting a Casino Filipino branch, the President’s Social Fund, among others.
PAG-alalay sa nasalanta… PAGCOR