Taal victims receive aid from Pagcor and its licensees
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Sun, 02 Feb 2020 17:57:01 +0000
Victims of Taal Volcano’s eruption can expect additional assistance as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) approved the release of P20 million funding from one of its casino licensees.
Melco Resorts (Philippines) Foundation Corporation (MRP Foundation) – the charitable arm of City of Dreams Manila operator, Melco Resorts and Entertainment Corporation – turned over the financial aid to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) on January 28.
The P20 million funding will be used to purchase 163 portable toilets, tents and general hygiene items for the sanitation needs of the Taal victims who are still in the evacuation sites.
According to NDRRMC Chairman and National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Department of Health has documented a “rising need for sanitation facilities in the evacuation centers, as thousands of displaced families still cannot go back to their homes with Alert Level 3 still in effect.” NDRRMC also reported that the affected people have reached 396,371. Pagcor Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo, who witnessed the turnover, expressed her appreciation for MRP Foundation’s financial assistance and for consistently supporting Pagcor’s endeavors.
“Our agency is always ready to provide immediate help during calamities. It is our mandate to share whatever profit we gain from the gaming industry,” Domingo added.
MRP Foundation was established by Melco Resorts and Entertainment Corporation in compliance with Pagcor’s provisional license to operate a casino. Pagcor requires its licensees to allot a certain portion of their gross gaming revenues to their Foundation to fund cultural, educational, environment, and health programs.
Apart from MRP Foundation, families affected by the volcanic eruption have also received aid from other Pagcor gaming licensees such as Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. of Solaire Casino. Further assistance will be extended by Midori Clark Casino’s Bridges of Benevolent Initiatives Foundation, Inc. and Widus Foundation. To date, funding from Pagcor licensed casinos has reached a total of P46.5 million.
Pagcor itself has conducted relief operations for Taal victims in Tagaytay, Cavite, and Batangas, benefitting nearly 8,000 families.