The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently opened two socio-civic centers in the disaster-prone towns of Maragusan and New Bataan.

Each facility, funded by PAGCOR with P50 million, will serve as both a safe shelter during emergencies and a venue for local socio-economic activities.

Maragusan, located almost four hours from Davao City with around 65,000 residents, is vulnerable to landslides. For years, the community has relied on public schools as evacuation centers, disrupting classes during disasters.

"This facility is a significant help to the locals who need to evacuate their homes during disaster situations," said former Maragusan Mayor Maricel Vendiola, who initiated the project in 2022.

“Classes in public schools will no longer be interrupted; at the same time, this structure will serve as a venue for promoting our local government’s projects and activities,” she added.

Current Maragusan Mayor Angelito Cabalquinto shared Vendiola’s sentiment, emphasizing the facility’s potential to boost the town's economic growth.

"I am very excited to utilize this facility for our economic and livelihood programs. This will also help our local government generate additional revenues for our operations," Cabalquinto said.

In New Bataan, a town also vulnerable to flooding and landslides, the new facility fulfills a long-time wish for a sturdy shelter during disasters, according to Mayor Geraldford Balbin.

“For years, we have dreamt of having a sturdy and comfortable building to serve as temporary shelter for our people during calamities,” he said. “This project is a demonstration of PAGCOR’s commitment to address the needs of vulnerable communities.”

Balbin also praised the facility’s durability, noting it withstood a strong earthquake last year while still under construction.

"There wasn’t a single crack or damage on the walls despite the strong earthquake. This shows the quality and strength of this facility’s construction," he added.

At the inauguration, PAGCOR Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor highlighted the agency's dedication to community development and disaster resilience.

He pointed out that Maragusan and New Bataan were the only municipalities in Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley) to receive socio-civic centers under PAGCOR’s funding.

To date, PAGCOR has completed and opened 43 socio-civic centers across the country, with 29 more nearing completion.