PAGCOR brings timely aid to war-displaced Marawi folk

ILIGAN CITY – A total of 5,000 families displaced by the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City received much-needed provisions from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

No less than PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo spearheaded the relief operations for thousands of evacuees who were temporarily sheltered at the gymnasiums of Barangays Maria Cristina and Sta. Elena.

PAGCOR initially allocated P3.7 million to provide evacuees with relief packs containing assorted food items, toiletries and a malong (a native Muslim blanket).

According to Domingo, she did not hesitate traveling to Mindanao to extend aid to Marawi residents who were forced to flee their homes after members of the Maute terrorist group began taking over several communities since May 23, 2017.

“Kaunting tulong lang po itong aming ipinag-kakaloob sa inyo at ito po’y simbolo ng aming pag-unawa sa inyong kalagayan at kasalukuyang pinagdadaanan. Gaya po ninyo, araw-araw rin po kaming nagdarasal na sana’y matapos na ang kaguluhan sa Marawi upang muli kayong makapagsimula ng inyong mga buhay,” she addressed the evacuees.

Joining Domingo in the distribution of relief goods were PAGCOR President and COO Alfred Lim, Directors Reynaldo Concordia and Gabriel Claudio and Assistant Vice President for Community Relations and Services Arnell Ignacio.

Twenty-six-year-old housewife Esnihaya Macapundag, a resident of City Jail West, Marinaut, Marawi City, decried the uncomfortable living conditions at the evacuation site where her family have been staying for over a month now. Shortly after the war erupted in Marawi City, her family initially travelled more than seven kilometers on foot to seek refuge in Iligan City.

In spite of their uncomfortable situation, Macapundag realized that their temporary shelter is the safest place for her loved ones at the moment. “Walang pinipiling tamaan ang bala kaya’t gaano man kahirap ang sitwasyon namin dito – dahil maingay, matigas ang higaan at mainit – mas ligtas kami dito. At saka, yung mga hindi magagandang nararanasan namin dito, naiibsan kapag nakakatanggap kami ng tulong galing sa iba’t ibang ahensya gaya ng PAGCOR. Kaya’t malaki pa rin ang pasasalamat namin na nandito kami,” Macapundag shared. ###PAGCOR  | via James Patrick de Jesus