OCD-12 Regional Director Raylindo Aniñon (on mic) welcomed Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) officials and the earthquake-affected family members to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (RDRRMC) Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where the distribution of cash assistance by Pagcor officials was held. (Photo: PIA SarGen)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), in partnership with the regional office of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-12), handed over P400,000 in cash to eight individuals whose family members died in the earthquake that recently hit General Santos City and Sarangani on Friday, December 1.
Each of the eight individuals who received P50,000 at the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (RDRRMC) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) were either parents, siblings, or authorized relatives of the deceased family members. Of these, four of them came from Glan and one from Malapatan, Sarangani, while the other three were residents of General Santos City.
“Thankful kaayo mi sa financial assistance na among na receive gikan sa Pagcor. Dako kaayo ning hinabang sa amo nga namatyan og family member [We are thankful for the financial assistance we received from Pagcor. This is such a big help for all of us who lost a family member],” said Malynda Belila, who received the cash aid on behalf of her relative, the family of the deceased 31-year-old Jules Anthony Tabanao from barangay Ilaya, Glan, Sarangani.
Pagcor Assistant Vice President for Community Relations Services Eric Balcos (on mic) expressed his deepest sympathy to the families of earthquake victims, telling them of the P50,000 cash assistance from Pagcor for each fatality to be handed over to the authorized family members of the deceased victims. (Photo: PIA SarGen)
Expressing sympathy to the families of victims, Pagcor Assistant Vice President for Community Relations Services Eric Balcos said they were giving out cash assistance to help the families of deceased victims defray expenses for burials and hospitalization, among other expenses.
“Ito po galing sa Pagcor po ito sa pamumuno po ni Chairman Alejandro Tengco, yun nga po nag-allocate kami ng P50,000 per fatality po [This is from PAGCOR, under the leadership of Chairman Alejandro Tengco, so that’s it we allocated P50,000 per fatality],” he said.
He explained that they would have wanted to cover more individuals, but due to limited resources, they have decided to prioritize only those families with casualties.
“Hangga’t maaari po gusto nating tulungan po ‘yung kaya nating tulungan, pero syempre limited din po ang resources ng Pagcor. So eto po, kung ano ‘yung maaabot ng kaya namin, binibigay at pinapadala po namin [As much as we want to help everyone, Pagcor’s resources are also limited. So, whatever can be reached by our resources, we give and send.
He added that aside from cash aid, Pagcor has already sent through the OCD Central Office relief packs, food and non-food packs, which are due to arrive soon for distribution by OCD 12.
Meanwhile, OCD-12 Regional Director Raylindo Aniñon briefed Pagcor officials on the latest government actions being undertaken on the ground.
He also commended the agency for its assistance, emphasizing to the families the government’s sincerity to help and share their burdens.
Daniel Flores, a tricycle driver whose wife died during the incident, said he was very grateful not just to Pagcor but also to other government agencies and the private sector for all the assistance he and his family have received.
“Daghang salamat sa inyong tanan sa mga hinabang nga inyong gipaabot sa amo nga naapektuhan sa linog. Dako kaayo silag tabang sa among pamilya hilabi na sa karong panahon sa kasakit ug kapait [Thank you very much to all of you for the help you extended to all of us who were affected by the earthquake. Your support has been a great help to our families, especially at this time of pain and sorrow],” he said, as he lamented over the loss of his wife.
According to Aniñon, the EOC remains activated and under “red alert status,” which means that OCD regional personnel are on their toes 24/7 to respond to calamities given the aftershocks as well as provide updates and reports as necessary.
He explained, however, that though OCD takes the lead in the EOC, there are other RDRRMC member agencies who are on duty at the operations center (OpCen), saying that members of the council are welcome to volunteer and be on duty with the OCD personnel. (CTA – PIA SarGen)
