Despite suffering significant revenue losses due to the suspension of gaming operations during the lockdown, state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) earmarked P2 billion for the construction of multi-purpose evacuation centers (MPECs) for typhoon-hit provinces.
Pagcor Chairman and CEO Andrea D. Domingo said local government units do not have enough evacuation centers whenever there is a disaster.
“We want to fill in that gap. Our MPECs will be designed to withstand strong typhoons so that evacuees will feel safe and comfortable while they are away from their homes,” Domingo said in a statement late Monday.
“The Filipinos have suffered a lot this year—from the global pandemic to a series of destructive typhoons,” she added. “Hence, despite our revenue losses, we have committed to provide a long-term solution to the most vulnerable sectors and communities.”
As early as 2018, Domingo said the state-run gaming agency has already conceptualized the MPEC project, which is being spearheaded by Pagcor President and Chief Operating Officer Alfredo C. Lim.
Pagcor vowed to directly turn over the funding to beneficiary-LGUs for the establishment of MPECs once all details of the project are finalized.
The gaming agency has initially approved 32 MPECs to be constructed in 31 sites. These areas include Albay, Aurora, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Mountain Province, Marikina, Northern Samar, Oriental Mindoro, Pampanga, Quezon, Romblon, Southern Leyte, Tarlac and Zamboanga del Sur.
Pagcor will adopt three schemes of donation depending on the site and need of the province.
The first scheme, which has a budget of P12.7 million, includes the provision of a basketball court that will serve as an alternative evacuation center.
The second scheme with a budget of P27.9 million includes the provision of a covered court with bleachers and toilets.
The third scheme, with P50 million budget, includes a two-storey full-scale MPEC with a complete facility, packed room for goods and a badminton-type area on the second floor.
Pagcor saw its net income from January to September plunging by 97.3 percent year-on-year especially due to the shutdown of gaming operations in mid-March to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
Based on its statement of comprehensive income, Pagcor’s net income for the 9-month period dropped to P132.67 million this year from P4.97 billion a year ago.
The country’s gaming regulator suffered a 60-percent decline in its income from gaming operations to P22.33 billion as of end of third quarter from P55.767 billion in 2019.