PAGCOR commits initial US$22.8m for Philippine school building programme

The agency signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education and representatives of the initial batch of 25 beneficiary local government units.

The Philippines.- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has announced that it has allocated an initial PHP1.37bn (US$22.8m) for the construction of 25 state schools nationwide. The funding forms part of PAGCOR’s two-year plan to build 125 school buildings, or about 1,500 classrooms, the Department of Education (DepEd) to help address a lack of classrooms.

To formalise the initiative, PAGCOR has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with DepEd and representatives of the initial batch of 25 beneficiary local government units or LGUs.

Alejandro H. Tengco, PAGCOR chairman and CEO, said funds totalling more than PHP8bn (US$133m) have already been earmarked “Our commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is that all classrooms will be completed not later than 2027,” he said.

The funds will be released to the LGUs in three tranches based on construction progress and compliance with project standards. The first batch of recipients includes LGUs in La Union, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Zambales, Batangas and Cavite, as well as those in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Antique, Samar, Davao Oriental, South Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Sulu.

Each local government unit will receive approximately PHP55m to construct a three-storey school building with 12 classrooms, equipped with chairs, tables, PWD-friendly facilities, electric fans, microphones, a 75-inch smart TV, and a one-year free internet subscription.

Tengco said: “We have learnt that the country has an estimated 165,000 classroom shortage, which is a daunting challenge for any administration.”

He said a new initiative will require PAGCOR’s online gaming licensees to allocate a portion of their gross gaming revenues to socio-civic programmes, including the repair and rehabilitation of public school buildings nationwide.

See also:

See also: Melco Resorts Foundation donates equipment to police in Metro Manila

The agency signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education and representatives of the initial batch of 25 beneficiary local government units. The Philippines.- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has announced that it has allocated an initial PHP1.37bn (US$22.8m) for the construction of 25 state schools nationwide. The funding forms part…