Pagcor rushes aid to Camiguin victims

Chairman Efraim Genuino of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has acted immediately to help typhoon-devastated families in Camiguin by purchasing 500 sacks of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) for direct shipment to the province’s disaster coordinating council through Gen. Rodolfo Caisip.

Genuino also directed Pagcor’s procurement office to rush several hundreds of boxes of sardines for the typhoon-stricken area. The first 100 boxes have already been shipped.

"President Arroyo’s desire to help the unfortunate, particularly the poor, has always guided Pagcor," Genuino said. "In the case of Camiguin, both the President and Pagcor feel the tremendous loss and utter helplessness of Camigueños in the face of nature’s unpredictable course."

Typhoon "Nanang" devastated the Camiguin town of Mahinog, almost totally wiping out a sitio. More than a hundred people were killed and scores more remain missing in the island-province.

About 300 families are temporarily housed at the Mahinog Central School. Several municipalities in Camiguin are still heavily flooded.

Genuino said, "We understand many are suffering from diarrhea, colds and fever. Many are in dire need of medicines, blankets, clothing and food. Thus, I have directed Pagcor’s general services department to provide those needs to the extent that we can. We are definitely providing financial assistance."

He said the President has repeatedly made it clear that Pagcor’s substantial earnings are to be spent meaningfully in helping alleviate poverty.