DigiPlus Interactive, the company behind leading digital entertainment brands BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, has won three awards at the World Business Outlook Awards 2024. DigiPlus was awarded “Excellence in Technological Advancement and Integration,” “Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Practices” and “Best in Corporate Governance and Ethical Practices.”

The award for Excellence in Technological Advancement and Integration highlights DigiPlus’ transformative efforts in delivering world-class entertainment experiences while preserving cultural heritage.

DigiPlus’ commitment to ethical leadership earned it the Best in Corporate Governance and Ethical Practices award, as it upholds the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity – principles embedded deeply into the company’s governance frameworks and operations.

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The Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Practices award underscores DigiPlus’ dedication to creating lasting impact through the BingoPlus Foundation, which operates with a ₱100 million commitment for CSR this year. Key projects include giving scholarships and robotics kits for youth, providing healthcare support for underserved communities and establishing PLUS centres for livelihood and healthcare.

“These awards serve as inspiration for us to keep raising the bar. At DigiPlus, we believe that innovation goes hand-in-hand with responsibility. We are driven to create platforms and experiences that not only entertain but also uplift communities and reinforce trust among our stakeholders,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) today broke ground for the state gaming firm’s new corporate office building at the Bagong Nayong Pilipino complex in Pasay City.

The PAGCOR Corporate Center – valued at Php2.45 billion – will be fully financed and constructed by SMC at no cost to PAGCOR, said Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco who led the project’s groundbreaking with SMC Chairman Ramon Ang.

During the simple ceremony, Mr. Tengco noted that for over four decades, PAGCOR has operated from various rented spaces under less-than-ideal conditions, with its workforce dispersed across multiple locations.

“Ang araw na ito ay katuparan ng isang pangarap para sa PAGCOR na magkaroon ng sariling tahanan,” he said. “We are truly blessed to witness this historic moment as we lay the groundwork for a vision that reflects our identity, core values and aspirations as an organization.”

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The corporate center will have a floor area of 40,000 square meters, with an additional 15,000 square meters designated for comprehensive fit-out.

“Since PAGCOR will not occupy all 40,000 square meters, we plan to lease some of the commercial spaces to generate rental income,” Chairman Tengco said. “These rental earnings should be enough to cover the building’s maintenance costs.”

Mr. Tengco said the agency’s collaboration with SMC exemplifies how private-public partnerships can maximize the potential of government assets to create more economic opportunities.

“The Nayong Pilipino complex, once known for its rich attractions, culture and history, had long lain dormant,” Mr. Tengco said. “Today, it is set to be transformed into a vibrant symbol of progress and opportunity for PAGCOR.”

For his part, SMC Chairman Ramon Ang said the construction of the PAGCOR Corporate Center represents a mutually beneficial partnership between the state gaming firm and the conglomerate.

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“This is a mutually beneficial partnership between PAGCOR and SMC,” he said. “While SMC will construct the Corporate Center, we will also use PAGCOR’s Nayong Pilipino property to build infrastructure that will complement airport requirements.”

The PAGCOR Corporate Center was designed by JSLA architectural design firm and will be built by New Golden City Builders. Both companies are known for big-ticket infrastructure projects in the country.

“SMC only commissioned the best architects and construction firms to ensure the project’s completion by 2028,” Mr. Ang added.

The construction of PAGCOR’s Corporate Center is part of the 25-year lease agreement entered into by the state gaming agency with SMC last December 12, 2024.

Aside from funding the building construction, SMC will pay monthly rental fees – with an annual escalation – for the use of PAGCOR’s 13-hectare Nayong Pilipino property for aviation-related projects.

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently inaugurated two socio-civic centers in the mountainside towns of Maragusan and New Bataan that are frequently hit by natural disasters.

The new facilities, built with Php50 million funding each from PAGCOR, will serve as safe shelters during emergencies as well as venues for various socio-economic activities of the communities.

Maragusan, situated nearly four hours from Davao City and home to approximately 65,000 residents, is among the most prone to landslides. For years, residents take shelter in public schools during calamities, often disrupting classes.

“This facility is a significant help to the locals who need to evacuate their homes during disaster situations,” said former Maragusan Mayor Maricel Vendiola, who spearheaded the project in 2022.

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“Classes in public schools will no longer be interrupted; at the same time, this structure will serve as a venue for promoting our local government’s projects and activities,” she added.

Maragusan’s incumbent Mayor Angelito Cabalquinto echoed Vendiola’s views and emphasized the facility’s potential to host activities that will contribute to the town’s economic growth.

“I am very excited to utilize this facility for our economic and livelihood programs. This will also help our local government generate additional revenues for our operations,” Cabalquinto said.

For the people of New Bataan, which is also prone to heavy flooding and landslides, the newly inaugurated facility is a realization of a life-long dream, according to Mayor Geraldford Balbin.

“For years, we have dreamt of having a sturdy and comfortable building to serve as temporary shelter for our people during calamities,” he said. “This project is a demonstration of PAGCOR’s commitment to address the needs of vulnerable communities.”

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Balbin also highlighted the facility’s durability and recalled how it withstood a strong earthquake last year while still under construction.

“There wasn’t a single crack or damage on the walls despite the strong earthquake. This shows the quality and strength of this facility’s construction,” he added.

During the inauguration ceremonies, PAGCOR Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor underscored the agency’s commitment to community development and disaster resilience.

He noted that Maragusan and New Bataan were the only municipalities in Davao de Oro, formerly Compostela Valley, to get socio-civic centers under the agency’s funding.

To date, PAGCOR has completed and inaugurated 43 socio-civic centers nationwide, with 29 more facilities nearing completion.

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