President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) officials led by its Chairperson Andrea Domingo at the Music Room in Malacañan Palace in this file photo taken on March 31, 2017. REY BANIQUET/Presidential Photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) on Saturday said that the “very popular” Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogos) donated P150 million for food and medical supplies following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis that the country currently faces.
“The Pogo, the very popular Pogo has donated P150 million,” Pagcor chairperson Andrea Domingo said.
“P90 million was allocated for the hospital and medical supplies, while P60 million for food,” she said.
“So by the middle of next week, we will have enough food at least for the people who need it most for two to three weeks.”
Currently, there have been 307 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country.
To contain the spread of the disease, President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine.
In line with the enhanced community quarantine, Pagcor has ordered the suspension of all Pogos and its service providers in Luzon to ensure the safety of all its employees.
Aside from Pogos, Domingo said that City of Dreams had donated P50-million worth of food packs, while Resorts World donated P50-million worth of medical supplies.
“Pagcor itself has dedicated a P100 million for food assistance,” Domingo added.
In a statement, the Association of Pagcor-Accredited Pogo Service Providers (APAPS) said aside from the P150 million donatkon, several members of the association also gave financial assistance to local government units to support provisions of food packs to communities.
They also donated to LGUs medicines, face masks, alcohol products, sanitizers and personal protective equipment.
“Our members share in the distress and burden this global pandemic has been causing to the health and welfare of every Filipino,” said APAPS.
“This is the reason why on their own, our members are doing everything they can to help the Philippine government and our LGUs,” it said.
“We know that there are many misconceptions about our companies and we will endeavor to clarify any misunderstandings in the future. But right now, our priority is ending this pandemic and we will continue to do our part to help in any way we can,” the statement said.
It added that during the suspension of Pogo operations, more than 40,000 Filipino employees of Pogos would continue to receive compensation.
“As to our foreign workers, the association has ordered them to stay in their respective housing units,” it said.