QUEZON CITY (PIA)-- Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Vice President for Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor highlighted the agency’s lesser known relief and assistance initiatives during the Philippine Information Agency Press Conference held September 15.
VP Villaflor stated that aside from the agency’s mandates to regulate games of chance & gambling, revenue generation and gaming tourism promotion, PAGCOR also has significant corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
“In 2022 alone, PAGCOR allocated P 28.37 million for the purchase of food and non-food packs which we distributed to over 53,000 families in calamity-stricken areas,” VP Villaflor said.
Several calamity-hit areas such as Aklan, Oriental Mindoro, the Bicol region, Metro Manila, North Luzon and Central Luzon also benefited from PAGCOR assistance in 2023.
Aside from relief assistance, PAGCOR also spearheaded the construction of Multi-Purpose Evacuation Centers in disaster-prone areas nationwide with a total construction budget of P 3.5 billion for 77 sites nationwide.
VP Villaflor announced that a total of 36 sites have already been completed and inaugurated as of August 2023 while 41 others are nearing completion.
In addition, PAGCOR has also provided major financial grants to local government units, state universities and colleges and government agencies such as Porac, Pampanga; Opol, Misamis Oriental; Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University; Sta. Ana, Pampanga; Pura, Tarlac; the Isabela Provincial Government and; the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, among others.
VP Villaflor stated that the agency plans to earmark funds for new flagship corporate social responsibility projects such as socio-civic centers, e-learning centers, and community wellness centers.
“PAGCOR is known only for gambling, usually. But I think this is a very good opportunity for us to look at the other side and the contributions of PAGCOR to the national government especially to those affected by disasters, by calamities and the people who benefit from the different projects of PAGCOR,” he stated. (GG/PIA)
