The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) revealed yesterday that four casino operators are to donate over PHP200 million worth of essential items to help the Government’s efforts to fight the coronavirus infection.
The foundations of the four gambling and entertainment operators have coordinated their efforts with the gambling regulatory body of the country to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies and food to hospitals and local government units in the areas where such items are currently most necessary to deal with the infection.
According to information provided by PAGCOR, the corporate social responsibility unit of Solaire Resorts and Casino, Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI) is set to make a donation of N95 masks and PPEs to the country’s Department of Health. The donation will be redirected to medical staff members in a number of hospitals that are treating Covid-19 patients. Furthermore, the BCFI is to also provide 100,000 test kits as soon as it obtains them from China and South Korea following an official permit from the Food and Drug Administration.
In addition, the Philippine General Hospital would receive a monetary donation of PHP50 million from the Okada Manila Foundation to purchase coronavirus testing kits, personal protection equipment, masks, alcohol, and testing and validator machines.
Four Gambling Giants Are Donating Through Their Charitable Foundations
PAGCOR has also revealed that two other gambling and entertainment operators will also be joining the Government in its efforts to fight the Covid-19 infection.
The charitable unit of the developer of City of Dreams Manila, Melco Resorts and Entertainment Philippines Corp. Foundation, will turn over 125,000 food packs worth a total of PHP50 million to President Duterte’s Office. Furthermore, another PHP50 million were allocated by the operator of Resorts World Manila, the Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., which is using its Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation to make the donation. The money is to be used for purchasing PPE, infrared thermometers, as well as other essential items to diagnose and treat patients suffering from Covid-19 infection. The group also made a pledge to purchase grocery packs that are set to be given directly to community beneficiaries.
The equipment that is to be purchased with the donations of the four gambling companies is to be redirected to public hospitals and areas in need. Andrea Domingo, who currently heads the country’s gambling regulatory body, confirmed that she authorized the Entertainment City casinos to use the funds of their charitable arms to fund the Government’s efforts to tackle the spreading of the coronavirus infection. Ms. Domingo reminded that PAGCOR license holders are required to establish a non-profit foundation, with a portion of their gross gaming revenue being set aside for those charitable entities that use them to fund various projects associated with the preservation of the country’s environment, cultural heritage, education and health.
Ms. Domingo explained that the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte instructed the local gambling regulator and other authorities to prioritize projects aimed at benefitting the country’s health sector.
