The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will finance the construction and upgrade of key facilities of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
PAGCOR chair and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco announced the pledge on Saturday during the PMA Alumni Homecoming in Baguio City.
Although not yet finalized, PAGCOR said the pledge would cover the construction of a new Candidate Control Liaison Office, a new modern warfare laboratory, and more facilities for the PMA Sports Complex, among others.
The Candidate Control Liaison Office at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center compound in Quezon City is where successful PMA applicants undergo a complete physical exam before entering the academy in Baguio.
“We were informed that this office is now in a serious state of deterioration and is in dire need of renovation,” Tengco said. “So today, we are affirming our commitment to help fund the construction of the new PMA Candidate Control Liaison Office even if the PMA management has not yet formally requested it.”
Tengco also pledged to finance the construction of a martial arts studio and an Olympic-size heated swimming pool as essential enhancements to the PMA Sports Complex.
“These projects are proof of our commitment to protect the welfare of the brave men and women of the PMA and the Armed Forces who risk their lives for our nation. With grateful hearts, we will ensure that your sacrifices are never taken for granted and that you can always count on our cooperation and support,” he said.
PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia extended his gratitude to PAGCOR.
“We are ecstatic that PMA will be continuing its collaboration with PAGCOR,” he said. “Next year, we will be working on a new curriculum and we will delve mainly into electronic warfare, cyber warfare and artificial intelligence. For us to do that, we need a bigger venue where cadets can test theories they learn in class.”
Some of PAGCOR’s previous contributions to the PMA were the P105-million grant in 2012 for the rehabilitation of the Sports Complex and the P600 million donation from PAGCOR licensees Solaire Resort & Casino and Newport World Resorts for the construction and improvement of cadet barracks between 2016 and 2019.
In 2019, Solaire’s Bloomberry Cultural Foundation donated PHP80 million for the repair of the cadet barracks.
PAGCOR and its licensees likewise funded the construction of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Magiting Veterans Wing; the PHP53.22-million watchers’ dormitory at V. Luna Medical Center; and the Multi-Purpose Office Building for the PMA Alumni Association.
