P26.7 M for Yuletide projects

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has allocated some P26.7 million for its gift-giving project this year that will benefit more than 8,600 underprivileged Filipinos, including children afflicted with cancer and autism.

The state gaming agency will provide assistance to 41 institutions through its  “Bayanihan: Pamaskong Handog ng Pagcor 2012” which runs until Dec. 20.

This year’s beneficiaries include the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, National Children’s Hospital, Lingap Pangkabataan, Inc., Soldiers’ Hills Elementary School, Tondo Medical Center, Pasay Youth Homes, Create a Job for the Disabled Association, Inc., and the Philippine Orthopedic Hospital.

The Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital will receive a halfway house for nursing mothers.

The half-way house will serve as breastfeeding station for indigent mothers whose newborn babies are confined at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the hospital due to premature birth and other conditions.

The National Children’s Hospital, on the other hand, will have newly renovated and repainted patients’ wards.

“Apart from the renovation that our employees are doing for the hospital, we will also be donating one mechanical ventilator, three units of infusion pump and three units of syringe pump to the National Children’s Hospital for the use of patients diagnosed with leukemia, nephrotic syndrome, congestive heart failure and haemophilia,” Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Cristino Naguiat, Jr. said.

Pagcor will also assist the Gawad Kalinga Tabun in Pampanga in the renovation and repainting of their multi-purpose halls, day care center and comfort rooms.

The St. Vincent’s Home in Bacolod City which takes care of abandoned elderly will have their ceilings, comfort rooms and recreation areas renovated and repainted, Naguiat said.

The Southern Philippines Medical Center (Davao Mental Hospital) will have their recreational areas and out-patient lounge repaired and repainted, he said.

Pagcor’s Pamaskong Handog was launched in December 2010.