The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) led the groundbreaking of a basketball court-type multi-purpose evacuation center (MPEC) in Misamis Oriental.

The groundbreaking activity, held on April 28, 2023, formally marked the construction of the P12.7 million emergency structure in Barangay Cabubuhan, which has long been suffering from the aftermath of natural calamities. The town lacks temporary shelters that would accommodate displaced families and individuals during disaster situations.

According to PAGCOR Corporate Social Responsibility Group Vice President Ramon Stephen Villaflor, who graced the groundbreaking ceremonies, the construction of an evacuation facility in Barangay Cabubuhan will help alleviate the plight of the residents in case fortuitous events happen in the future.

“We recognize the importance of having safe and dependable evacuation centers in communities that are prone to natural disasters. As we join the ceremonial groundbreaking of this new multi-purpose evacuation center, we are honored to have answered the call for help of the residents of Magsaysay,” Villaflor said.

The PAGCOR basketball court-type MPEC will complement the existing evacuation building of the town, which only has a size of two standard classrooms. Most of the time, the local government unit utilizes public schools as temporary shelters during emergencies.