PAGCOR earmarks PHP267.7m to fund disaster response efforts
PAGCOR has remitted PHP267.7m to the local governments of Botolan, Arayat, Agoncillo, Bula, Plaridel and Pasay for the construction of Multi-Purpose Evacuation Centres (MPEC).
The Philippines.- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) has earmarked PHP267.7m to six towns to fund projects related to the construction of multi-purpose evacuation centres (MPECs). PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo announced cash donations to Botolan City, Zambales; Arayat, Pampanga; Agungsi Lo, Batangas; Quezon, Praridel; Bula, Camarines Sur and Pasay City.
In a ceremony held at the PAGCOR Executive Office in Manila, Botolan, Arayat, Agoncillo, and Bula each received PHP25m, while Plaridel received initial funding of PHP6,350,000 to begin the building of a covered court-type MPEC worth PHP12.7m.
Pasay City Government initially received PHP30m out of PHP55m granted for the renovation of the Doña Nena Multi-Purpose and Evacuation Centre Building and the Malibay Multi-Purpose Centre.
Domingo said the state-run gaming company’s latest grant is intended to help support the recipient’s existing facilities, which are not conducive to evacuation purposes and lack the necessary amenities to comfortably accommodate many people in the event of a disaster.
Domingo said: “We will continue to provide the necessary funding to build more emergency structures in other calamity-prone areas to ensure that those who will be affected by various disasters in the future will have a safe and comfortable place to stay when they need to evacuate their homes during calamities and other emergency situations.”
A few weeks ago, the regulator remitted PHP75m to the local governments of Borongan, Eastern Samar; Tacloban; and the town of Kananga in Leyte for the construction of Multi-Purpose Evacuation Centres (MPEC). In November, the regulator also remitted PHP150m to six towns and cities in the Bicol region and Quezon province.
