Over 3,000 locals from various towns in Davao del Sur recently received relief aid from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook the region last Dec. 15.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the devastating quake left nine people dead, 111 injured, and over 124,000 in need of assistance.
PAGCOR has so far allotted over P1.3 million worth of assistance to the victims from the towns of Matanao and Padada during the agency’s relief operations, which started on Dec. 21.
Casino Filipino Davao employees headed by Branch Manager Antonio Covarrubias assisted in the distribution of tents, hot meals, and relief packs containing water and food items. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go also helped distribute and transport relief packs from Manila to Davao.
Jimmy Bondoc, PAGCOR Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group, said the agency’s disaster response team is still reaching out to as many earthquake victims as they can.
“We are steadily coordinating with our team in Davao and other government officials on how to provide the victims’ necessities as quickly as possible. Rest assured, more help is on the way,” Bondoc said.
Meanwhile, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo noted that the agency has “learned to be vigilant and ready to respond to needs of disaster victims as quickly and effectively as possible.”
“We are doing what we did when Mayon Volcano in Albay erupted and whenever calamity strikes in different parts of the country. PAGCOR is just being true to its commitment to assist victims of calamities such as this,” Domingo added.