The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), together with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), poured in P150 million in aid to various local government units in Luzon that direly need assistance due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
PAGCOR delivered more than 47,000 food packs purchased by POGOs to communities in the National Capital Region, Benguet, Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac.
The first batch of 25,000 packs were delivered from March 21 to 24, while the second batch of 22,872 food packs were distributed from March 25 to April 3.
PAGCOR’s Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Jimmy Bondoc, who personally oversees the repacking and distribution of goods to beneficiaries, said POGOs allotted P60 million for the procurement of food items for frontliners and affected communities.
“We have been distributing food packs to various cities and municipalities in Metro Manila and other nearby areas like Marikina, Calabarzon, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Tarlac,” he said.
POGOs also donated P90 million for the purchase of medical supplies for public hospitals that are directly dealing with COVID-19 patients.
“We have started distributing protective gears like face masks, gloves and personal protective equipment last March 25 at the Lung Center of the Philippines,” Bondoc said.
“Also, on April 4, we delivered 12,000 face masks and 150 personal protective equipment (PPEs) to Ramos General Hospital in Tarlac,” he added.
PAGCOR, for its part, contributed a total of P20.5 billion to support the government’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Of this amount, P12 billion in cash dividends were remitted to the National Treasury, while P8.5 billion was released to the Socio-Civic Projects Fund of the Office of the President.
PAGCOR has also dedicated P100 million for additional food assistance.