Despite Temporary Closure, Manila Casinos Pledge P160 Million Worth of Donations for COVID-19 Fight
Casinos are almost always jampacked with people, but because of the COVID-19 crisis, the country’s top casinos have been forced to shutter their doors to try and stem the spread of the coronavirus.
That doesn’t mean, though, that they’re not extending help to those who need it most.
Solaire
Solaire, for example, says it is donating P60 million worth of of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and N95 masks to the Department of Health. The donation is being coursed through the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Solaire Resort and Casino.
“Shipment of these equipment are due to arrive late next week, and shall be distributed to medical front liners in various hospitals dealing with COVID-19 patients,” according to the release.
BCFI added that it has also applied with the FDA for the necessary permits for three different COVID-19 testing kits currently available in China and South Korea.
“As soon as the clearances and permits are issued, BCFI will procure 100,000 test kits to augment the much needed supply of the government for testing COVID-19,” the company said.
Resorts World Manila
Resorts World Manila (RWM), meanwhile, has announced $1 million worth of donations primarily to protect frontliners and provide aid to vulnerable families. Like Solaire, RWM’s assistance package will go through the Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation Inc.
The company’s first wave of donations started this week and will involve providing 240,000 pieces of medical supplies, including PPEs, N95 masks, medical masks, goggles, gloves medical boot covers and thermal scanners.
“We will also initially distribute around 30,000 packs of groceries, which will feed at least 120,000 people from underprivileged families in Pasay City and other neighboring communities,” it said.
RWM pledged to donate more based on what is needed is needed as the situation arises.
City of Dreams
Finally, City of Dreams, through its Melco Resorts (Philippines) Foundation Corporation (MRP Foundation) has also announced a donation of P50 million worth of food packs for the government’s food relief efforts.
The donation consists of 125,000 food packs that each contain rice, canned goods, noodles and water, which aims to help the most vulnerable families during the enhanced community quarantine period.
There is a skeleton workforce in COD that is helping pack the bags that will be immediately turned over to the Office of the President. Even the property’s COO and SVP Kevin Benning is on site helping load, unload and pack sacks of rice.
“We are heeding the call to lend a helping hand in mitigating the economic situation of those most in need during this temporary COVID-19 crisis,” Benning said. “Hand in hand through the spirit of bayanihan, we’re one with the government and other private sectors as we do our part in combatting this pandemic.”
The resort also donated ample bottles of water to the Parañaque city government, and food packs for the city’s Disaster and Rescue team and the Local Health Office. It is currently lending its fleet of seven buses to help transport health workers in and around the city under the direction of the city government.
