The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has released P65.6 million in initial food and non-food aid to communities across Luzon and Metro Manila following severe flooding caused by tropical cyclones “Luis” and “Maymay” and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

PAGCOR dispatched 47,192 relief packages, including 23,596 food packs valued at P28.91 million and 23,596 non-food packs worth P36.69 million.

Chairperson and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the agency’s disaster response team began distributing the packages as torrential rains caused widespread flooding, class suspensions and government service disruptions.

“Calamities cause immediate burden on families, particularly when basic needs become difficult to secure,” Tengco said.

“PAGCOR is committed to providing timely assistance to communities that need them most,” he added.

Relief supplies have reached or are en route to several Northern and Central Luzon areas, including Bulacan, La Union, Baguio City, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Abra and Pampanga.

Aid is also being distributed to Southern Luzon communities in Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, Laguna, and Camarines Norte.

In Metro Manila, relief allocations were directed to Parañaque and Marikina.

Tengco added that the agency will continue coordinating with other government bodies to extend aid as communities work to recover from the disaster.