State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) inaugurated on Friday the first PAGCOR-funded socio-civic center in Occidental Mindoro province.
The two-story building, built through a P50-million funding from the state gaming agency, will benefit residents of Mamburao’s 15 barangays and those from neighboring municipalities.
Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano, who led the unveiling of the facility together with PAGCOR vice president for corporate social responsibility Ramon Stephen Villaflor, expressed gratitude for the project and emphasized its use beyond serving as an evacuation center during calamities.
“We are deeply grateful to PAGCOR for bringing the first socio-civic center to Occidental Mindoro,” he said.
“This facility will greatly support various community initiatives and will provide a safe refuge during severe weather conditions,” he said.
The governor said the socio-civic center could also help generate additional revenue streams for the provincial government.
“When not used as a venue for socio-civic events and as an evacuation facility during calamities, we can rent out this space to individuals and organizations and generate revenues for the building’s maintenance,” Gadiano said.
PAGCOR’s Villaflor, meanwhile, underscored the agency’s commitment to community development and nation-building.
“This socio-civic center project is a testament to PAGCOR’s commitment to contribute to nation-building,” he said.
“It is also our response to the call of the people from Occidental Mindoro to have a facility that will not only serve as a shelter during calamities but also as a venue for community development and fundraising efforts,” he said.