PAGCOR-funded evacuation and permanent housing facilities open in Batangas and Laguna

THE number of communities with permanent emergency facilities and newly-built houses continue to rise after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) inaugurated a Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center (MPECs) in Cabuyao City, Laguna and a PAGCOR Village in Agoncillo, Batangas on December 16, 2022.

The opening of the PAGCOR Village in Barangay Coral na Munti in Agoncillo could not have come at a better time since the town is currently on Alert Level 1 status due to Taal Volcano’s increased activity.

“With Taal acting up once again, itong PAGCOR Village na natanggap natin ay malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan upang mailayo sila sa danger zones at sa tiyak na panganib,” said Agoncillo Municipal Mayor Cinderella Reyes, who graced the inauguration of the housing project together with PAGCOR”s key officers.

Meanwhile, Asst. Vice President for Community Relations and Service Department Eric I. Balcos commended the town of Agoncillo for its efficient use of the grant. He noted that the town wasted no time in constructing the project.

“Hanga po kami sa bayan ng Agoncillo dahil sa loob ng isang taon ay natapos na ang proyekto. Pangalawa po ang Agoncillo na nakatapos out of the six towns. On behalf of our Chairman Alejandro Tengco, kami po sa PAGCOR ay lubos na nagagalak na may malilipatan na ang mga heavily affected na pamilya ng pag sabog ng Bulkang Taal,” he said.

PAGCOR also formally inaugurated the MPEC building constructed in Enterprise Park Barangay Banay-banay Cabuyao City in Laguna. The town has long been affected by severe flooding during extreme weather disturbances.

Cabuyao City Mayor Dennis Felipe Hain said having a permanent evacuation structure is very important for their city as they have a large population, which makes it challenging for the local government to accommodate all families from different communities.

“Like most neighboring towns, Cabuyao is not spared from the destruction brought about by various natural calamities. Our need for a building dedicated for evacuation purposes becomes more evident, lalo na kung napupuno ang iba pa naming pasilidad. Sa laki ng aming populasyon napakalaking tulong nito para sa aming mamamayan,” he explained.

Prior to the unveiling of the MPECs in Cabuyao City, PAGCOR also inaugurated on December 9, 2022 a two-storey evacuation structure at Barangay Plazang Luma in Arayat, Pampanga.

To date, a total of 18 MPECs have already been constructed by the state-run gaming agency nationwide.