The local government unit of Virac headed by Mayor Samuel V. Laynes unveiled the P50-million PAGCOR Socio-Civic Center at its sprawling property in barangay Cavinitan last week, with the gaming corporation expressing its gratitude to the LGU through a video message.
PAGCOR Assistant Vice President Eric A. Balcos of the Corporate Social Responsibility Group, who represented PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro H. Tengco, said the completion of the two-story center is the fulfilment of its dream for typhoon-prone Catanduanes as it would serve mainly as an evacuation center during calamities.
In congratulating Virac LGU for completing the project, the PAGCOR executive said that not only would it serve as a safe haven during disasters, it would also be a venue for social events, capability-building trainings and seminars as well as educational activities.
AVP Balcos assured PAGCOR’s continued support for the efforts of the local government in promoting community development and resilience.
Also present during the March 4, 2025 event were Vice Mayor Arlynn H. Arcilla, Councilor Lemuel P. Surtida Rev. Fr. Mark Arcilla, department heads, section chiefs and employees, and some members of the local media.
Constructed in 2022 in partnership with the municipal government as a testament of the commitment for a disaster-resilient community of then Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and the PAGCOR Board headed by Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo, the edifice was completed last year.
The design originally provided a steel truss roof with GI sheets for the building but Mayor Laynes strongly recommended to PAGCOR that it should be replaced with a concrete roof slab so it would not be destroyed by super typhoons frequently passing through the island.
The building sustained minor damage during STY Pepito last November 2024 but sources said it did not accommodate evacuees at the time due to the absence of adequate protection for its doors and windows against strong winds.
Aside from spacious comfort rooms, the ground floor has a kitchen and mess hall, health service station. breastfeeding area, laundry and washing area, rooms for couples, and a hall that could fit 10 modular tents.
At the second floor are similar facilities, communications room and space for 13 modular tents.
To date, a total of 45 PAGCOR-funded Socio-Civic Centers have been completed and unveiled nationwide, while 30 others are still undergoing construction.