The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently announced an investment of 600 million Philippine pesos to fund the second phase of the "Leadership Excellence Center" at Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City, initiated by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association (PMAAAI), highlighting the positive role of the gaming industry in national development.
The project is fully funded by the Newport World Resorts Foundation, a corporate social responsibility entity under a PAGCOR-licensed operator, demonstrating the potential of public-private partnerships in infrastructure development. This six-story building, reaching up to 600 meters, is designed to provide a permanent venue for military academy leadership training and strategic exchanges.
Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, attended the launch ceremony on June 10 and delivered a speech. He stated that the plan did not use the national budget, reflecting how regulated gaming revenues can play a crucial role in supporting national strategic infrastructure construction.
It is noteworthy that the center will also serve as the headquarters for PMAAAI in the future, symbolizing the tangible results of gaming revenues supporting the enhancement of national military capabilities.
The first phase of construction has already seen an investment of 300 million pesos, mainly for structural construction; another 300 million pesos were subsequently invested in interior decoration, and the project is progressing steadily.
Tengco added that PAGCOR is also expanding its funding for the defense system, such as supporting the modernization upgrades of the Philippine Military Academy, including the establishment of combat labs, sports centers, and medical transport facilities.
"This center is a model of cooperation between the government and the private sector, showcasing the deep connection between responsible gaming and national patriotic spirit," Tengco concluded. He emphasized that if properly regulated, the gaming industry could become one of the important pillars of national construction.
