The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Department of Education (DepEd) have formalized agreements with 66 local government units (LGUs), as part of the gaming regulator's nationwide school-building initiative.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and representatives from the participating LGUs attended the ceremonial signing at PAGCOR's corporate office in Pasay City on September 24.
Under the program, each three-story school building will contain 12 classrooms. Facilities will include chairs, tables, electric fans and features designed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
The classrooms will also be fitted with 75-inch smart TVs, amplifiers and microphones, while each building will receive a one-year internet subscription.
PAGCOR said the initiative is intended to increase access to suitable learning facilities, particularly in communities facing classroom shortages. The agency hopes construction can be completed by 2027 or 2028, with implementation requiring coordination between PAGCOR, DepEd and the beneficiary LGUs.
The latest agreements follow an initial PHP1.37bn allocation announced in March for the construction of 25 public school buildings nationwide.
The project forms part of PAGCOR's wider spending on public infrastructure and social programs while the agency simultaneously continues changes to its gaming regulatory functions.
Tengco said earlier this month that PAGCOR's regulatory framework would continue to evolve as market conditions and risks change. The agency is also pursuing the separation of its regulatory and commercial functions, with the proposal currently under review by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or-Controlled Corporations.
If approved through the review process, the proposal would move to the Office of the President for consideration, with an executive order required to implement the separation.
PAGCOR expects the new school buildings to be completed by 2027 or 2028
