Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR has pledged Php300 million (US$5.2 million) in financial grants to the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to improve its facilities and provide advanced training resources for its cadets.
The agency’s Chairman and CEO, Alejandro Tengco, made the announcement during the 45th PNPA Alumni Homecoming celebration at Camp Gen Mariano Castañeda in Silang on Friday.
“While PAGCOR’s primary role is to regulate the gaming industry, we also have a responsibility to support institutions like the PNPA and the national police,” Tengco said. “The law enforcement community has always been our top priority.”
PAGCOR said in a statement that its grant will cover the construction of a PNPA Alumni Association building which will serve as an administrative office and a dormitory for visiting alumni. It will also finance the upgrade of PNPA’s Crime Scene Plaza that will serve as a training ground for forensic and investigative procedures.
Likewise, PAGCOR will finance the purchase of firearms training simulators to refine the cadets’ marksmanship and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations and will help the police academy to acquire crime mapping and predictive policing software to support cadets’ training in crime analysis, visualization and prevention, and cybercrime investigations.
A patient transport vehicle – equipped with a GPS navigation system, ambulance stretcher, medical oxygen, wheelchair and a first aid kit – will be turned over to the PNPA next week.
“Technology is now a crucial aspect of law enforcement, and our cadets must have access to modern facilities and training innovations that will allow them to combat crime more effectively,” Tengco said.
Tengco also turned over a check worth Php2.2 million (US$38,500) to the PNPA Alumni Association Inc (PNPAAAI) for the purchase of a new service vehicle and 100 tablets to help in the learning needs of cadets.
“We hope that these contributions will help facilitate mobility and enhance the learning of cadets and alumni members who are engaged in continuing education,” he added.
In providing the financial grants, PAGCOR acknowledged the support of its licensed casino foundations which have contributed nearly Php700 million (US$12.2 million) to PNP-related projects since 2017.
These have included almost Php600 million (US$10.5 million) from Newport World Resorts Foundation and more specifically a Php40 million (US$699,000) donation from Bloomberry Cultural Foundation for eight patrol vehicles for the PNP Southern Police District, a Php21 million (US$367,000) donation from Melco Resorts Philippines Foundation for various PNP programs and a Php50 million (US$873,600) grant from Okada Foundation to acquire communications and medical equipment for the police force.
