Entertainment city casinos pledge P200M in donations to combat COVID-19

Casino licensees in the Entertainment City in Parañaque have pledged to donate over P200 million to government efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), four licensees in the Entertainment City have pledged to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), and food and medical supplies to hospitals and local government units (LGUs).

Solaire Resort and Casino

Through its corporate social responsibility arm Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI), the company will donate P60 million worth of PPEs and N95 masks to the Department of Heath (DOH).

It will also procure 100,000 test kits in China and South Korea, subject to clearance and permits from the Food ad Drug Administration (FDA).

Okada Manila

The Okada Manila Foundation will donate P50 million to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to procure COVID-19 testing kits, PPEs, validator machines, masks, and alcohol.

City of Dreams Manila

Melco Resorts and Entertainment Philippines Corporation Foundation will donate 125,000 food packs valued at P400 or a total of P50 million to the Office of the President (OP).

Resorts World Manila

Travelers International Hotel Group Inc., through Resort World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation, has allocated P50 million for the procurement of PPEs and infrared thermometers and other essential items.

The company will also purchase grocery packs to be handed out to community beneficiaries.

"Our licensees are required to establish a foundation," said PAGCOR chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo.

"A percentage of their gross gaming revenues are set aside for these charitable entities whose funds are used for projects related to cultural heritage, education, environment, and health," she elaborated.

Some 70% of the funds collected by PAGCOR, as gaming regulator, is also allocated for environment and health initiatives.

"We were instructed by President Rodrigo Duterte to prioritize projects that would benefit the health sector. Hence, PAGCOR and our licensees have been working together to provide quality healthcare services and infrastructure," said Domingo. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News