PAGCOR to finance upgrade of key PMA facilities

BAGUIO CITY – Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco today pledged financial support for the construction and upgrade of key facilities at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

During this year’s PMA Alumni Homecoming ceremony where he served as guest of honor, Mr. Tengco pledged funding for the construction of a new Candidate Control Liaison Office, a modern warfare laboratory, more facilities for the PMA Sports Complex and patient transport vehicles.

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,” Mr. 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.”

Mr. Tengco also pledged funding for a new warfare laboratory that will help integrate modern combat strategies and cutting-edge technologies into the academy’s curriculum.

In addition, he promised to finance the construction of a martial arts studio and an Olympic-size heated swimming pool as essential enhancements to the PMA Sports Complex.

Although funding details are yet to be finalized, Mr. Tengco assured the PMA community that PAGCOR will help provide future cadets with facilities that foster both learning and skills development.

“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,” Chairman Tengco said. “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.”

PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia said the grants from PAGCOR will be of big help to the academy.

“We are ecstatic that PMA will be continuing its collaboration with PAGCOR,” he said. “As Chairman Tengco said, PMA and PAGCOR share a strong history of collaboration, and we are happy to continue that partnership.”

“Next year, we will be working on a new curriculum and we will delve mainly into electronic warfare, cyber warfare and artificial intelligence,” the PMA chief said. “For us to do that, we need a bigger venue where cadets can test theories they learn in class.”

Mr. Tengco also highlighted PAGCOR’s longstanding support for the PMA and the broader AFP community.

Some of the state gaming agency’s key contributions were the Php105-million grant in 2012 for the rehabilitation of the PMA Sports Complex and the Php600 million donations from PAGCOR’s 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 an additional Php80 million for the repair of the PMA cadet barracks which started to show signs of wear and tear.

PAGCOR and its licensees likewise funded the construction of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Magiting Veterans Wing; the Php 53.22-million watchers’ dormitory at V. Luna Medical Center; and the Multi-Purpose Office Building for the PMA Alumni Association.