Asia

Newly-Built PAGCOR-Funded Evacuation Facilities in Cagayan Province Inaugurated

Published

3 years ago

March 13, 2023

Three municipalities in the province of Cagayan became the latest beneficiaries of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center (MPEC) project after the state-run gaming agency inaugurated the newly-constructed facilities on March 10 and 11, 2023.

The PAGCOR-funded basketball-court type multi-purpose facilities worth P12.7 million each were formally unveiled in the towns of Amulong, Solana and Penablanca.

In the municipality of Solana, the evacuation facility built in the flood-prone barangay Malalam-Malacabibi was already used as a temporary shelter last October after the gates of Magat Dam were opened to release water following the onslaught of Tropical Storm Paeng.

According to Solana Municipal Mayor Jennalyn Carag, despite being partially completed, the PAGCOR-funded evacuation facility already provided safe refuge to 80 families from low-lying communities in their town.

“When Tropical Storm Paeng hit us, the water level in Magat Dam rose. There are barangays in our town that have been isolated, such as barangay Dasun, Bauan and Malalam-Malacabibi. Even when this evacuation center was just being built, it has already given us a lot of help,” said Carag.

In the town of Penablanca, PAGCOR’s evacuation facility was built in the remote barangay of Minanga, which is almost two hours away from the town center and has no access to telecommunication. The community’s mountainous location and partly unpaved roads make it challenging for the local government to deliver swift aid to locals whenever they are affected by natural disasters.

“In recent years, we have been tested by various calamities like that only widespread flooding here in the province of Cagayan in 2020,” Penablanca Mayor Washington Taguinod said. “This was followed by another widespread flooding in 2021 and, in 2022, we felt the strength of the earthquake that hit the Ilocos region. The establishment of this PAGCOR evacuation center in Minanga barangay became our priority because of its distance from the population. This is a non-telco area, which means it is difficult for residents to seek immediate help when a disaster occurs.”

With the completion of the PAGCOR-funded evacuation center in the far-flung barangay Minanga, Taguinod said that the locals, including the indigenous peoples living at the foot of Sierra Madre, will be assured of a safe shelter as well as a venue where the local government can download relief goods and other basic government services in times of disasters.

Meanwhile, Amulong Municipal Mayor Elpidio Rendon also expressed his gratitude to PAGCOR for giving the vulnerable sectors of their community a secure evacuation shelter during calamities.

“In Amulong, we have identified typhoons, landslides, drought and flood as major hazards. The flood alone affects 17 of the 47 barangays. This situation pushes us to raise the adaptive capabilities of our communities that are exposed to flooding. This evacuation center will be of great help to the vulnerable members of our community, such as the elderly, children and pregnant women, especially during the onslaught of natural disasters,” said Rendon.

PAGCOR’s Vice-President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group, Ramon Stephen Villaflor, who graced the inauguration of the evacuation facilities in Cagayan, explained that instead of constructing a two-story building, the state-run gaming firm provided funding for four basketball-court type multi-purpose facilities in towns that are most vulnerable to flooding.

Besides Amulong, Solana and Penablanca, the town of Iguig also received a basketball-court type evacuation facility. Final inspection of the project in Iguig was already conducted.

Meanwhile, apart from the province of Cagayan, PAGCOR also recently inaugurated two-story multi-purpose evacuation centers worth P50 million each in the towns of Floridablanca and Candaba in Pampanga. Over 200,000 residents from said municipalities stand to benefit from the modern and spacious buildings. To date, a total of 24 MPECs have been completely built and inaugurated nationwide while 53 are still undergoing construction.

Asia

Fight vs. illegal gambling gets boost with Php50M PAGCOR grant to NBI

Published

4 days ago

September 29, 2025

Wladimir P.

fight-vs.-illegal-gambling-gets-boost-with-php50m-pagcor-grant-to-nbi

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Monday committed Php50 million in financial assistance to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to strengthen operations against illegal gaming, including the banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

The support was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City by PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco and NBI Director Jaime Santiago.

An initial Php25 million was immediately turned over by PAGCOR to the NBI, representing the first tranche of the total assistance, during the MOA signing.

In his message during the ceremony, Tengco said the partnership with the NBI underscores PAGCOR’s mission not only to regulate gaming and generate revenues for nation-building but also to protect the integrity of the industry.

“This morning, we are signing a Memorandum of Agreement that underscores the shared responsibility of PAGCOR and the NBI in promoting lawful, fair, and responsible gaming in the Philippines,” he said.

“This assistance will defray the cost of food and expenses for POGO detainees, as well as support the Bureau’s legitimate operations against illegal gaming activities.”

Mr. Tengco said the agreement likewise demonstrates PAGCOR’s resolve to safeguard the gaming industry and ensure that revenues from legal gaming truly benefit the Filipino people.

“Illegal gambling operators undermine our laws, exploit our people, and put our communities at risk. By working hand in hand with the NBI, we are sending a strong message that we will not allow unlawful gaming practices to persist,” he said.

For his part, NBI Director Santiago said PAGCOR’s assistance would boost the Bureau’s capabilities to pursue its mandate.

“The NBI welcomes PAGCOR’s assistance as it will enable us to step up our operations against illegal POGOs and other unlawful gaming activities. This partnership affirms our shared duty to uphold the law and protect the Filipino people,” he said.

The post Fight vs. illegal gambling gets boost with Php50M PAGCOR grant to NBI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

BETBY EXPANDS ASIAN MARKET PRESENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BROADWAY PLATFORM

Published

1 week ago

September 25, 2025

George Miller

betby-expands-asian-market-presence-through-partnership-with-broadway-platform

Reading Time: 2 minutes

BETBY, the innovative sportsbook provider, has entered into a new partnership with Broadway Platform, a leading operator that manages over 30 online platforms while also delivering bespoke B2B services and B2C brands worldwide. As part of the deal, Broadway Platform will integrate BETBY’s award-winning sportsbook solution across its portfolio.

Through this collaboration, Broadway Platform will gain access to BETBY’s comprehensive sportsbook, featuring 500,000+ events per month, 8,000+ betting markets, and coverage of 125+ sports and 50+ esports disciplines.

The agreement also includes Betby Games, BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, which delivers 400,000+ live matches per month across 25 sports simulations with 100% video coverage, as well as AI Labs, a full suite of AI-driven sportsbook tools. With dedicated modules for odds creation, risk management, UX optimisation, and operations, AI Labs empowers operators with real-time insights, personalisation, and operational efficiency.

The Broadway Platform project is supported by SPRIBE, a leading iGaming company recognised for its innovative products and next-generation, mobile-first gaming experiences that resonate strongly with modern players. SPRIBE has made a significant impact on the online gaming industry, and its involvement underlines the ambition and innovative spirit of the collaboration.

Broadway Platform’s move to partner with BETBY underscores the supplier’s commitment to innovation and scalability, while strengthening its focus on the Asian-facing market, where it has been actively localising its solutions to meet regional demands.

Stefanos Karakidis, Business Development Director at BETBY, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Broadway Platform, a company with an outstanding reputation in both B2C and B2B operations. By integrating our sportsbook, Betby Games, and AI Labs, Broadway is set to enhance its offering and deliver a cutting-edge experience to its customers. This partnership highlights our shared vision of growth, innovation, and market leadership.”

Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Chief Commercial Officer, added: “Working with BETBY marks an important step for us as we extend our global footprint. Their technology, depth of content, and AI-driven tools provide us with the flexibility and scale needed to deliver a world-class betting experience. We are confident this collaboration will unlock significant opportunities for growth.”

The post BETBY EXPANDS ASIAN MARKET PRESENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BROADWAY PLATFORM appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

ArenaPlus

DigiPlus Announces Partnership with PhilFirst

Published

1 week ago

September 23, 2025

Niji Narayan

digiplus-announces-partnership-with-philfirst

Reading Time: 2 minutes

DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the Philippines’ premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, announced a landmark partnership with Philippine First Insurance Co. Inc. (PhilFirst), the country’s first domestic insurance company. Together, they have introduced the Philippines’ first-ever surety bond programme for online gaming players – setting a new benchmark in player protection. The programme takes effect immediately.

For players, this means more peace of mind every time they log in, as long as their eKYC (electronic Know-Your-Customer) information is up to date and they continue to play within the platform’s guidelines. Whether it’s a casual gamer or a loyal fan celebrating a big win, they can enjoy BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone knowing their wallets and balances are even better protected.

Through this initiative, eligible players benefit from an added financial safeguard. The surety bond protects player balances of up to ₱1 million per player, without requiring customers to purchase a separate policy.

“DigiPlus is proud to be the first in the industry to roll out this level of consumer protection. We are committed to putting our players first. With this surety bond, they can play confidently on BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, knowing that their funds are safeguarded,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco.

How does the DigiPlus surety bond work?

Eligibility: Players must be eKYC-verified, have made at least one successful deposit, and be in good standing within the platform’s guidelines.

Coverage: The surety bond safeguards player wallets and balances up to ₱1 million per player.

Activation: Protection is in place immediately and applies automatically for all eligible players across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone.

This latest measure strengthens DigiPlus’ commitment to reliable customer service and protection, adding the surety bond to its 24/7 customer support and 130+ physical BingoPlus stores nationwide, which already serve as convenient and trusted outlets for players.

With the addition of the surety bond, DigiPlus continues to raise industry standards – delivering not only engaging and innovative gaming offerings but also a stronger guarantee of trust, security and peace of mind for its customers.

The post DigiPlus Announces Partnership with PhilFirst appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.