Tue | Jul. 31, 2018 | 4:55 PM

Labuan, Zamboanga City – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) joined President Rodrigo Duterte in providing immediate help to more than 400 families whose houses in the coastal area of Labuan, Zamboanga City, were burned down on July 22, 2018.

Forty-five year-old Hawlayya Hailil, one of the fire victims, receives financial aid from PAGCOR’s Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Jimmy Bondoc. She has been living in the coastal town of Labuan, Zambonga City for more than 20 years before their house was razed by the fire.

PAGCOR’s Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Jimmy Bondoc (middle) distributes the agency’s financial aid to more than 400 families whose houses were burned in Labuan, Zamboanga City.

In cooperation with other government agencies – Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – the President distributed relief packs containing hygiene kits and other basic necessities as well as P15,000 worth of financial assistance to each family affected by the fire.

In his speech, President Duterte comforted the fire victims and pledged to give them housing units similar to the ones built for displaced Marawi locals. “Dumadating talaga ang problema sa buhay. Alam kong hirap kayo. Pero yung pera at bahay, makukuha yan. Bigyan ninyo ako ng isang taon para magkabahay kayo,” he said.

Duterte also mentioned that he will open the barter trade in the area so that residents will have additional source of livelihood apart from fishing and farming. “Bubuksan ko ang barter trade para sa inyo. Basta sundin niyo lang ang mga patakaran. Barter trade will help you a bit. Para mabuhay lalo ang mga kapatid nating Muslim,” he cited.

One of the fire victims was 45-year-old mother of five, Hawlayya ‘Ulay’ Hailil, who has been living in the area for more than 20 years.  “Tumakbo na lang kaming buong pamilya, wala akong nadalang gamit kahit isa. Nakita ko na lang yung bahay namin, lahat ng pinag-hirapan namin, nilamon ng apoy,” she recalled.

Ulay had a sari-sari store but was razed by the fire, while her husband is a fisherman.  Working together enables them to live a decent life and send their children to school. Despite losing all their property, she is hopeful that the government’s assistance will help them rebuild their lives .

“Sobrang salamat sa tulong ng pamahalaan at sana maka-ahon kami kaagad. Maganda din yung pinamigay na cash ng PAGCOR at ng iba pang ahensya na magagamit namin pambili ng pangunahing pangangailangan tulad ng gamit sa school ng mga bata, para maka-balik sila sa eskwela,” Ulay shared.

Apart from Labuan, PAGCOR will also grant financial assistance to the thousands of fire victims in Jolo, Sulu.

Go back