Cebu solon backs Las Vegas-style Pagcor plan

A legislator from Cebu added his voice to the chorus of support for what could be the country’s biggest entertainment and casino project under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

In a statement, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said the Las Vegas-style  Entertainment City project of Pagcor in Parañaque City would give the Philippine tourism industry a big boost.

“Integrated resort and gaming projects are powerful drivers of tourism revenue growth, as may be gleaned from Singapore’s recent experience,” Gullas said in his statement.

He said Singapore’s tourism income soared by 74 percent from $10.2 billion in 2009 to $17.7 billion in 2011, owing to the launch of Marina Bay Sands gaming resort in April 2010.

Gullas issued the statement as Pagcor, under the stewardship of its chair and chief executive officer, Cristino Naguiat Jr., is rushing work on the completion of the $5-million project which is expected to create one million jobs annually for local gaming experts, entertainers, performers, artists and service sector staffers.

Naguiat earlier said the Entertainment City would transform the Philippines into one of the premier tourist destinations in the world.

“A 10-percent share in the $115-billion global gaming pie will give the Philippines

$11.5 billion in revenue,” said Naguiat in a separate statement.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez had been quoted earlier as saying the project could help his department meet its target of bringing in 10 million tourists every year by 2016.