Pagcor earmarks additional P2B to build classrooms

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Cristino L. Naguiat, Jr., (4^th from left) leads the ceremonial turnover of the check for the agency’s additional P2 billion funding for the “Matuwid na Daan sa Silid-Aralan” project to Education Secretary Armin Luistro (3^rd from left) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson (2^nd from right). The heads of the three agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of about 2,000 classrooms in public schools nationwide. Also in photo: (from left) DepEd Undersecretary Mario Deriquito, PAGCOR President and COO Jorge Sarmiento and DPWH Undersecretary Alfredo Tolentino (far right).

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) earmarked an additional P2 billion to fund the construction of about 2,000 classrooms in public schools all over the country.

Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Cristino Naguiat, Jr., Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inked a memorandum of agreement on Friday to mark the second phase of the “Matuwid na Daan sa Silid Aralan” Project.

The additional funding brought Pagcor’s total allocation for its school building project to P3 billion. It initially provided a P1 billion funding for the construction of almost 900 classrooms and 100 Gawad Kalinga (GK) Learning Centers when the project was launched in 2011.

Naguiat said Pagcor would continue to “provide the funds to help address the acute deficiency of classrooms and school buildings nationwide.”

“In coordination with the DepEd, we will continue to oversee the monitoring of the project to ensure that construction is on time and follows the agreed quality standards we have set. We only want the best for the country’s future leaders,” he said in a statement.

Pagcor said the selection of school beneficiaries will be determined by the agency based on DepEd’s data on classroom shortages. The state-owned gaming firm will also designate specific locations that will be prioritized for the construction of the school buildings.

The DepEd, on the other hand, will provide the architectural plans for the classroom structure subject to Pagcor’s final approval. DepEd will also monitor the school buildings’ construction status and provide the teachers, professionals and support staff needed for the operation of the PAGCOR-funded classrooms.

Pagcor and DepEd are tapping the DPWH’s technical expertise in building infrastructures,, which will primarily handle the actual construction of the classrooms and school buildings.

When the Aquino administration assumed office in 2010,  Pagcor said the shortage in classrooms at government-subsidized schools nationwide was recorded at 66,800.

Luistro said that through government funding like the “Matuwid na Daan sa Silid Aralan” project, more than 32,000 classrooms had been built as of December 2012.

“By December 2013, we hope to finish the construction of the 66,800 which are part of the backlog identified in 2010,” Luistro added.

The classrooms that will be constructed using the additional P2-billion funding from Pagor will cover the backlogs that were not included in 2010.

“Every year, there is an increase in enrolment. The additional classrooms that will be built by Pagcor will cover the areas with major increase in enrolment,” the education chief further explained.

Naguiat said Pagcor’s commitment to build more classrooms reinforces its role as one of government’s staunchest allies in nation-building.

“We see joy and hope in the eyes of several students whenever we visit them during the turn-over of the classrooms that Pagcor built for them. The smile on their faces and the thought that they would no longer hold classes under the trees or in dilapidated buildings inspire us all the more to continue this mission,” he said.

Naguiat said the budget that they allocated for this project came from the agency’s savings and the prudent management of its funds.

“We are also currently in talks with DepEd on what other projects are needed for the next school year so that Pagcor  can continue its help to the education sector,” he said.

Singson expressed confidence that they could absorb more classroom construction by the second half of 2013.

“We are looking into the possibility of seeking exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the regional level to fast track the construction of some classrooms in time for the opening of classes in June,” he said.