Pagcor Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor cites the various projects initiated by their agency, as he recognized the financial strain that disasters can place on affected families, during a regular press conference hosted by the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City. (PIA-NCR photo)
MANILA, (PIA) — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) on Friday, September 15, reported that it has completed almost half of its 77 Multi-Purpose Evacuation Centers (MPECs) project amounting P3.5 billion being build in strategic areas nationwide.
“Yes, ginagamit na nila ‘yung (the local governments are already using the) 36 evacuation centers, that (number) is already 47 percent of the evacuation centers that we have funded,” said Ramon Stephen Villaflor, Pagcor Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group, during a presscon hosted by the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City.
“The P3.5 billion was the total amount approved and we distributed this to the different local government units as the beneficiaries of the projects,” Villaflor added, demonstrating Pagcor’s unwavering commitment to disaster-affected communities.
To date, a total of 36 evacuation facilities have been completed and inaugurated in various parts of the country, while 41 are nearing completion.
These MPECs serve as more than just physical structures; they are symbols of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Equipped with essential amenities and designed to withstand the harshest of conditions, these centers will ensure that affected individuals have access to a safe haven when disaster strikes.
“The program started in 2019, unfortunately nagkaroon tayo ng pandemic in 2020, so na-delay ang construction. But even with the pandemic, we started going around and distributing funds and started the construction in 2020. So, we had restrictions going to the provinces, kaya medyo na-delay,” he said.
Pagcor’s MPECs project was designed to build safe shelters in disaster-prone areas.
In addition to the construction of MPECs, Pagcor extends its support through various channels, including the distribution of emergency relief packs in disaster areas.
Recognizing the financial strain that disasters can place on affected families, Pagcor also provides crucial financial aid to those in need. (PIA-NCR)
