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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, (PAGCOR), paid out P4.1 million in cash incentives for the 82 members and staff of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent.
Each contingent member will be awarded a P50,000 cash incentive by PAGCOR. This contingent includes volunteers from various agencies, including the Department of Health, Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Air Force(PAF), Metro Manila Development Authority [MMDA], Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (“SBMA”) and Office of Civil Defense.
“Before volunteers returned to the Philippines last Feb 28, 2018, PAGCOR CEO Alejandro Tengco promised to provide incentives as a token of appreciation for their selflessness. They gave their lives to help others and were able overcome the difficulties, even the severe weather. It was a difficult task but they did it and made us proud,” Eric Balcos, PAGCOR’s AVP Community Relations and Services Eric Balcos stated.
The ceremony of turning over the check took place during the welcome ceremony, which was also attended by Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire, OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno and MMDA Chairman Atty. The Department of National Defense Officer in-Charge Senior undersecretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., DOH OIC, and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, and MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes is the Chief of Staff at AFP Gen. Andres Centino and PAGCOR’s AVP Corporate Communications Carmelita Valdez, as well as AVP Balcos.
The Philippine Response Team was dispatched to Turkey on February 8, 2023 to assist the victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.
According to USec Galvez, the team served 1,022 patients and helped six earthquake victims recover their bodies. They also assessed 36 buildings in Turkey during their two-week deployment. They distributed gloves, blankets, and bonnets to the victims.
Ted Esguerra, one of the volunteers for MMDA shared his five-point learning experiences from their volunteer work.
“First, marunong tong utang na loob. Turkey is one of the first countries that helped us after Typhoon Haiyan. It’s our way to give back. Second, despite having the highest number of disasters in the World Index, pinakita is natin to sa mundo. However, humanitarian work is world-class. Third, Filipinos must be able to use paramaging for international assistance. Kailangan masanay humarap sa lugar na malamig, disyerto o mataas ang altitude. Fourth, we should learn from the Turkish experience. Maging handa tayo sa ganitong kalaking disaster. Isa ang Turkey sa bansang handang-handa sa lindol pero sa sobrang laki nito, na-overwhelm sila. We need to train cross-cultural humanitarian staff.”
Dr. Esguerra expressed gratitude to PAGCOR as well for the grant that was given to the volunteers. “Pasasalamat para sa PAGCOR dahil nakita ninyo ang kabayanihan at talento ng Pilipino. Hindi ito pabuya lamang kundi pambili rin ng gamit ng mga volunteers na nasira during our rescue,” he shared.
DOH Chief Medical and Professional Staff Dr. Alfonso Danac also thanked PAGCOR.
“We are grateful to PAGCOR for this token. We are not expecting this. We were deployed in full volunteerism. Malaking bagay ito dahil yung iba sa amin ay mababa lang ang salary grade but they willingly volunteered,” he expressed.
Dr. Danac explained that the DOH team provided more than medical services. They also worked as cleaners and electricians.
“Based on self sufficiency ang team natin. We provided medical services, but we also helped out at camp. “Yung deployment natin” will demonstrate to the world that our rendering services are based upon professionalism and standards em> Dr. Danac shared.
