Pagcor program benefits 78,000

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) said yesterday some 78,000 people all over the country have benefited from its pro-poor project "Serbisyo Muna Caravan."

The Serbisyo Muna Caravan program provides socio-economic, medical and legal assistance to poor families.

Pagcor chairman Efraim Genuino said the caravan is in line with President Arroyo’s socio-economic agenda.

"The caravan has gone a long way since we started it. Today, we already have more than 30 participants. More people are signing up for the project," Genuino said.

In fact, he said the Serbisyo Muna Caravan had conducted its 23rd caravan in Lower Bicutan in Taguig City last week.

Under the directive of Mrs. Arroyo, Genuino said the agency thought of spearheading a project that aims to help underprivileged Filipinos cope with poverty amid the "prevailing socio-economic and political turmoil" besetting the country today. Serbisyo Muna Caravan is dedicated to that mission.

Genuino said the caravan, a whole day event, is being held in areas with large concentration of poor communities.

On July 14, the caravan will go to Payatas and Commonwealth in Quezon City, Pagcor said.

"The success of the Serbsiyo Muna project hinges on the continuous efforts of its participants. We are driven by our common desire of bringing real change and improvement in the lives of the people," Genuino said.

"Far from resting on our laurels, the Serbisyo Muna Task force — as we call ourselves — continues to find more ways of bringing service to all Filipinos," Genuino added.

Aside from the Serbisyo Muna Caravan, Pagcor has also introduced Serbisyo Muna Centers (SMCs).

The centers offer low priced commodities to poor families and have mini clinics for free medical consultations and mini drugstores that sell cheaper drugs.

The SMCs also provide free training seminars for livelihood programs.

Pagcor said that the project was developed to address the vital concerns of the Filipino people including food and nutrition, livelihood, peace and order, health community development and basic infrastructure. — Helen Flores