PAGCOR conducts 12-day yuletide gift-giving
In line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s call of sharing the blessings to the marginalized sector of society, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will play Santa Claus and give a merrier, more meaningful Christmas to almost 6,000 individuals when it conducts a 12-day gift-giving mission in 24 charitable institutions in Metro Manila and nearby provinces this December.
Dubbed “Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2010 - 12 Days of Christmas”, the outreach program is the state-gaming firm’s way of sharing its blessings to the less privileged and often neglected sectors of society which is part of PAGCOR’s mission as a compassionate, caring institution.
Maricar Bautista, PAGCOR’s Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications, said the gift-giving event will be conducted from December 9 to 20.
“The mission will cover numerous marginalized sectors of our society like orphans or abandoned children, the elderly, cancer patients in charity wards, deaf and mute, the disabled, mentally ill adult patients, inmates, special children, babies afflicted with medical illness like hydrocephalus, retired and wounded soldiers,” she added.
Bautista said the state-gaming corporation is following the concept “12 days of Christmas”, a take-off from the popular Christmas song that celebrates the Season for 12 straight days through the giving of gifts each day.
“We will visit two charitable institutions everyday in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces like Bulacan and Antipolo, Rizal. Each beneficiary will be getting practical gifts like clothing, toiletries, packs of rice, canned goods and other basic commodities that will be useful for them,” she added.
PAGCOR is giving priority to institutions that are not receiving much help. “Many centers are already blessed with generous benefactors, but there are many more lacking or needing help. Our goal is to reach out to these less known charitable institutions in the hope that we can also help generate awareness and support or backing for their advocacies,” Bautista said. (PCOO)
Gov't to push for more OFW livelihood programs - Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III today said the government will push for the creation of more job opportunities through livelihood programs that would assure a more comfortable life for the Filipino people.
Speaking before the awardees of the “Model OFW Family of the Year Award” at the Grand Plaza Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City, the President assured the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families that the government is stepping-up in its efforts to address the common concerns of their group.
“Mahalagang mamuhunan tayo sa sariling lakas ng ating mga kababayan. Ito ang layunin ng ating administrasyon, ang magbukas ng higit na maraming oportunidad na mabuhay ng masagana sa Pilipinas upang hindi na kailanganin pang maghanap ng trabaho sa ibang bansa”, he said.
The Chief Executive said he has directed various agencies concerned, which include the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to further boost programs that will directly benefit the overseas workers.
“Pinalalakas na po ngayon ng DOLE at OWWA ang kanilang programa at serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng karagdagang labor attaches at welfare officers lalo na sa Gitnang Silangan at ilang bansa sa Asya”, noted the President.
The government, according to him is creating 54 additional help desks to beef up the 554 that were previously installed in different cities and provinces of the country tasked to attend to the welfare of the OFWs.
The OWWA, he added has been instructed to allot one billion pesos as Reintegration Fund, which will be used as an effective loan program with low interest rates for the OFWs.
With help from the Land Bank of the Philippine and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), the government will conduct seminars on Financial Literacy, Money Management and similar technical discussions to equip the OFWs and their families to venture into business, he said.
“Sa abot ng ating makakaya, sinisiguro po natin ang mga tulad ninyong kaagapay sa pagsulong ng kaunlaran ay bibigyan lakas, aalagaan at hindi babalewalain ng atin pong pamahalaan”, the President said.
He noted the influx of both local and foreign investors who are regaining confidence to do business in the country as a result of the government’s sustainable administrative reforms.
“Iisa lang po ang ibig sabihin nito, mas maraming trabaho para sa Pilipino dito sa Pilipinas”, the Chief Executive said.
He urged the OFW awardees to continue their productive endeavors and set an example for fellow overseas workers to emulate. (PCOO)
