Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR said Sunday it has launched a series of new flagship infrastructure projects, highlighted by the development of school buildings that will see an additional 1,200 school classrooms built inside the next four years.
Details of the projects were announced by PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco during the signing of a Joint Memorandum Circular with partner agencies the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“In four years, we hope to build at least 1,200 classrooms or about 300 classrooms per year under this new infrastructure push as part of our commitment to nation-building,” Tengco said, adding that far-flung and remote communities would be the focus.
PAGCOR will also build 200 E-Learning Centers in areas with a high concentration of learning institutions, each with 48 internet-connected computer stations, while around 100 Health and Wellness Centers will feature doctors’ offices and consultation rooms, dental clinics, vaccination rooms, treatment rooms and a multi-purpose area.
Further, 50 Socio-Civic Centers will be built, allowing LGUs to utilize them as seminar and training venues and for hosting social and community gatherings.
“We want these projects to benefit as many Filipinos as possible because we believe that laying the groundwork for a stronger nation is not the sole responsibility of the education sector but should be a collective effort of agencies and organizations,” Tengco explained.
Under the memorandum circular, the DPWH will undertake the construction of the new PAGCOR flagship projects, while the DepEd will administer the schools and E-Learning Centers, including providing teachers and other personnel.