The programme was formally launched in early July in Malolos City, with Pagcor chairman and chief executive, Alejandro Tengco, handing over an initial PHP10-million tranche to the provincial government.

The funding will support the Ayudang Hatid ay Tagumpay (AHT) Scholarship Programme, which aims to expand access to higher education and technical-vocational training for students in the province.

According to Pagcor, PHP40 million of the total allocation will provide scholarships for 1,000 incoming college freshers enrolled in four-year degree programmes, while the remaining PHP20 million will fund 1,000 students pursuing technical-vocational education.

Speaking during the turnover ceremony, Mr Tengco said the initiative reflected the agency’s commitment to ensuring that revenues generated from regulated gaming directly benefit the public.

“The turnover of the first tranche of funding today is not only assistance for the education sector,” Mr Tengco said in remarks quoted in Filipino by the regulator. “We are also investing in the skills, dreams and potential of our young people, who will help build a more prosperous Bulacan and a stronger Philippines.”

Bulacan governor Daniel Fernando welcomed the assistance, saying the scholarship programme would expand access to quality education and create opportunities for deserving students across the province despite financial constraints.

The scholarship initiative forms part of the Bawat Buhay Mahalaga Caravan, a government outreach initiative designed to bring public services and assistance closer to local communities, including education-related activities.

During the event, Mr Tengco also announced that Pagcor would finance the construction of 10 three-storey school buildings in Bulacan and support the establishment of the Bulacan Sports Academy for “aspiring young athletes”.

The recognition included being on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index for the fifth consecutive year, and the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Asia Pacific Index for the sixth consecutive year.

The casino firm said in a recent release that this means Sands China is “the world’s only integrated resort operator to be concurrently listed in both indices”.

The Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices were launched in 1999 and offer benchmarks for corporate sustainability. Information for them is gathered annually by financial institution S&P Global.

The indices are based on an in-depth review of more than 12,000 companies worldwide, “rigorously and comprehensively assessing ESG [environmental, social and governance] performance across industries”, Sands China said.

The firm described its latest inclusion in the indices as “a strong validation of its exceptional performance and effectiveness in the company’s three core ESG pillars of ‘People, Community, and Planet’.”

Sands China said that in this year’s Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices assessment, 16 integrated resort operators globally were invited to participate.

“Ultimately, only Sands China and its parent company, Las Vegas Sands Corp, were selected for the World Index,” it stated.

The firm also said it was one of only two integrated resort operators to secure a spot on the Asia Pacific Index.

Per the update, its United States-based parent Las Vegas Sands has been named to the World and North America indices for the seventh consecutive year, “further demonstrating that the group’s integrated ESG management approach continues to receive high international praise”.

Grant Chum Kwan Lock, Sands China’s chief executive and an executive director, was quoted saying in the release: “We are deeply honoured to once again be listed on both the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World and Asia Pacific indices, and to remain the world’s only integrated resort operator to achieve dual listing on these prestigious benchmarks.”

He added: “This accolade is an encouraging, high-level international endorsement of our outstanding ESG performance.”

In June, Sands China announced it had been recognised by the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for a fourth consecutive year. The company was assessed to be in the top 1 percent rankings in the publication’s Global edition and its China edition.

The firm said more than 7,000 workers took part in activities staged across its Venetian Macao, Parisian Macao, Londoner Macao, and Sands Macao properties between June 2 and 26.

New this year was an artificial intelligence (AI) “health assessment experience” (pictured), the company stated in a recent press release.

Sands China said that over the years, through various activities such as roadshows, seminars, and interactive workshops, Happy 360 Month “has helped team members build positive thinking, enhance their sense of well-being, and promote a healthy work-life balance”.

Wilfred Wong Ying Wai, executive vice chairman of Sands China, was quoted saying: “Sands China is a large family with over 28,000 team members, and their healthy development is a key driving force for the company’s continuous progress.”

He added: “We encourage them to develop healthy lifestyles and foster a caring, supportive, and positive work environment, in alignment with the Macau government’s ‘Healthy Macao Blueprint’ and ‘Healthy Community’ policies.”

This year’s programme introduced an “AI Tongue Image Analyzer Station”, which Sands China said used AI image analysis technology to give “real-time, objective health reference data to raise team members’ awareness of their own physical condition, while also reinforcing the idea that prevention is better than cure when it comes to health management”.

Sands China also held three seminars and workshops covering “hearing care, emotional relief, and physical and mental relaxation, helping team members understand health management from multiple perspectives”, the firm said.

A closing ceremony for Happy 360 Month on June 24 was attended by a number of senior Macau government officials. They included: Chan Un Tong, director of the Labour Affairs Bureau; Wong Weng Man, head of the health promotion division of the city’s Health Bureau; and Wong Pak Kei, acting head of the community service coordination division of the Social Welfare Bureau.

EarthCheck describes itself as a scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism.

The Banyan Tree Macau hotel at Galaxy Macau attained EarthCheck certification for the 10th consecutive year and advanced to platinum certification this year, “becoming the first hotel in Macau to achieve this distinction,” according to a press release from the company.

EarthCheck certification levels are upgraded the longer EarthCheck certification standards are maintained, according to the organisation’s website. The platinum level is awarded in years 10 to 14. Gold certification is for years five to nine. Silver certification is for years one to four. EarthCheck ‘master’ certification is applicable for 15 years-plus of sustained maintenance of the organisation’s standards.

Stuart Deeson (pictured, second right), senior vice president of hotel at the casino firm’s Cotai flagship resort Galaxy Macau, was cited as saying: “Galaxy Entertainment’s receipt of multiple internationally-recognised EarthCheck certifications, including Macau’s first platinum certification, serves as a strong endorsement of our long-standing commitment to sustainability and green operations.”

He added: “We will continue to leverage innovative technologies and systematic management to drive our low-carbon transition, contributing to the development of a greener Macau.”

Dr Natasha Montesalvo (pictured third left), principal consultant – destination, strategy and insight at EarthCheck, was quoted as saying: “Sustainability has become an important foundation of today’s tourism industry.

“The EarthCheck certifications achieved across Galaxy Entertainment’s various hotel brands and facilities demonstrate that its environmental management and sustainability practices meet international standards.”

Galaxy Macau’s Galaxy Hotel was upgraded to gold certification in the latest round. In addition, Capella at Galaxy Macau, which officially launched this year, plus Raffles at Galaxy Macau, Andaz Macau, Hotel Okura Macau, and the Galaxy International Convention Center at Galaxy Macau were all awarded EarthCheck silver certification.

The property, operated by Genting Singapore Ltd, said in a recent press release that, via a “walkathon and sustainable marketplace”, it aims to raise SGD2 million (nearly US$1.6 million) in “monetary and in-kind contributions”.

RWS Cares is the flagship corporate social responsibility programme of Resorts World Sentosa.

Loh Su Kim, Resorts World Sentosa’s chief strategy and sustainability officer, was cited as saying in the update announcing the festival: “RWS Cares Festival reflects our ambition to be a national platform for inclusion and action, bringing communities together to connect, participate and contribute.”

The walkathon is called ‘Steps of Hope’. The sustainable marketplace is called the “Green Living Fair”. The organisers aim to “mobilise 4,000 participants” for the two events during the festival.

The SGD2-million fundraising aim includes a SGD700,000 target for the ‘President’s Challenge’. The annual charity campaign in Singapore helps those less fortunate, specifically beneficiaries selected by the country’s President’s Office.

The update said Singapore’s head of state, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, would be guest of honour on the opening day of the festival.

The statement also noted that revenue from “every ticket sold” for Steps of Hope would go directly to the President’s Challenge.

This year, Resorts World Sentosa is supporting three President’s Challenge beneficiaries – the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), also known as ARC; TomoWork; and MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Fund.

The funds for ARC will be channelled to equip adults on the autism spectrum with employability skills through training, and place them in suitable jobs with appropriate job support.

TomoWork’s share will support its Talent Accelerator Programme (TAP), a school-to-work transition programme for graduating or recently-graduated students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) or the country’s polytechnics.

Proceeds for MILK Fund will be directed to the Uplift! programme, a career-readiness and financial-literacy programme for “at-risk youth” aged 16 to 24.

Resorts World Sentosa says it has committed to a three-year partnership with the President’s Challenge, starting from this year.

As part of the RWS Cares Festival, Resorts World Sentosa will also host the Green Living Fair on August 22 and 23 at its Research and Learning Centre.

It will feature eco-friendly products from local brands and social enterprises, workshops, interactive booths, and performances “by artists of all abilities”.

The statement added that the RWS Cares Festival supports Genting Singapore’s 2030 Sustainability Master Plan, “which guides RWS in delivering positive socio-economic impact and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.”

The Master Plan’s goals are said to include surpassing 500,000 cumulative volunteer hours.

“This significant step aligns SJM with global leaders in responsible travel and reinforces its leadership in advancing sustainable tourism in Macau,” the company stated in a recent press release.

It added: “Joining GSTC strengthens SJM’s ability to integrate sustainability across all aspects of hospitality and event management.”

Daisy Ho Chiu Fung, managing director of SJM Resorts – the Macau casino-resort operating unit of Hong Kong-listed SJM Holdings Ltd – was quoted as saying, referring first to the historical Macau casino monopoly founded by her family that preceded the current business: “SJM has been deeply rooted in Macau for over 60 years, and our commitment to a greener future remains steadfast.”

She added: “Becoming the first GSTC member in Macau marks a natural progression of our journey.”

Ms Ho is also chairman and an executive director of SJM Holdings.

Randy Durband, GSTC’s chief executive, was cited as saying: “GSTC warmly welcomes SJM as a GSTC member organisation.”

He added: “We thank them for joining our mission to advance more responsible, inclusive, and sustainable tourism through their diverse business portfolio across hospitality, MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions], and attraction sectors.”

GSTC describes itself as a non-profit organisation with worldwide reach that manages the GSTC Standards, a set of standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. It also accredits certification bodies to use the GSTC certification system to certify tourism businesses.

Melco Resorts (Philippines) Foundation Corp (MRP Foundation), the charitable arm of City of Dreams Manila, said in a recent announcement that it had financed the upgrading of Sunshine Park, a public space located near several educational institutions and commercial centres in Baguio. 

The casino complex in Manila is operated by a unit of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd.

The revamp project was implemented by the Baguio city government under the so-called “Adopt-a-Park Programme”, per the statement.

The enhanced park was formally turned over to the relevant authorities during an inauguration ceremony held in late May. It was attended by Baguio city mayor, Benjamin Magalong; MRP Foundation vice-president, Armin Antonio Raquel Santos; local government officials; and other stakeholders. Students from the University of the Cordilleras also presented a performance during the event.

According to the foundation, the revamp preserved key features of the park’s original layout, including its stage, ramp and drop-off area, while introducing upgraded walkways, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic tables, landscaping improvements, and other amenities. A new public artwork, titled “Language of Photography” and created by Baguio artist Clinton Aniversario, was also installed at the site.

The park project broke ground in March 2025 and was fully funded through a donation from MRP Foundation, according to the release.

Clarence Chung Yuk Man, president of the MRP Foundation and chairman and president of Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp, said the initiative reflected the organisation’s commitment to “creating lasting value through public spaces that strengthen communities and enhance quality of life”.

The Sunshine Park is said to serve a cross-section of the community, including students, residents, workers, and artists. Mayor Magalong said the redevelopment was shaped by consultations with stakeholders and designed to meet evolving community needs while preserving the park’s traditional character.

The casino operator said it co-organised the forum, titled “Leading the Shift: The Power of Sustainable Gastronomy to Create Change”, together with The Sustainable Restaurant Association, a not-for-profit organisation; and food-waste technology provider Winnow.

The event was held at MGM Cotai in conjunction with Sustainable Gastronomy Day, an annual event recognised by the United Nations.

According to MGM China, the forum explored how sustainable dining practices could contribute to the long-term development of Macau’s food and beverage sector, while improving operational resilience, guest experience and environmental performance.

The event also sought to encourage wider adoption of sustainable practices across sourcing, kitchen operations, and dining services.

The casino firm used the forum to showcase several of its sustainability achievements in food and beverage operations. 

Geoffrey Simmons, MGM China vice president of food and beverage, said Macau was well positioned to promote sustainable luxury hospitality due to its status as a gastronomy and tourism destination.

“The convergence of culinary excellence and sustainability leadership is a top priority for MGM, and luxury hospitality and environmental responsibility can thrive together,” Mr Simmons stated.

The event also featured presentations by Karen Finnerty, director of growth and partnerships for Asia Pacific at The Sustainable Restaurant Association; and Christy Chen, business development lead at Winnow Solutions, who discussed global hospitality sustainability trends and the role of artificial intelligence in reducing food waste.

A panel discussion included representatives from MGM China, Winnow, the Macao University of Tourism and JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong.

The 19-year-old violinist made her Macau debut on June 13 in a performance with the Macao Orchestra at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. The concert was presented by Melco Resorts.

That event was followed by a “Meet the Musicians” session, hosted by the company at its Studio City resort in Cotai. The initiative, according to a recent press release, was aimed at fostering local youth talent and providing aspiring musicians and community members with an opportunity to interact directly with Ms Zhu and Macao Orchestra music director and principal conductor Lio Kuokman.

Melco Resorts said approximately 120 people attended the session, including music students, community representatives and participants in the company’s parent-child volunteer programme. Invitations were extended through several local organisations, including the School of Music of Macao Conservatory, Academia de Música São Pio X, Sheng Kung Hui Astor Shore and the Macau Autism Association.

During the event, Ms Zhu shared her experiences of performing internationally and discussed the discipline required to build a professional music career. The young violinist, who won the Young Talent of the Year honour at Germany’s Opus Klassik Awards in 2025, has performed in more than 20 countries since beginning her musical career at the age of four, according to the company’s announcement.

Clarence Chung Yuk Man, a Melco Resorts board director, said the collaboration with the Macao Orchestra reflected the company’s commitment to bringing high-quality performing arts experiences to Macau while helping to cultivate local talent. 

“We aim to inspire the next generation of local musicians and further enhance Macau’s status as a global hub for arts and culture,” he stated.

The collaboration will see the casino resort and the government-backed fund organise a range of public initiatives, including film screenings, exhibitions, educational programmes and sustainability workshops, aimed at encouraging climate action in Singapore.

To launch the partnership, Marina Bay Sands hosted the opening ceremony for the Sustainable Futures Film Festival on June 11, featuring an exclusive screening of film trailers. Running to August 31, the programme includes 12 film screenings exploring themes related to climate change, biodiversity conservation and ocean science.

The partnership also encompasses interactive exhibitions at the complex’s ArtScience Museum, focused on biodiversity and sustainability. There will be collaborations with SG Eco Fund-supported projects to deliver learning tours, art installations and hands-on workshops for students and members of the public.

The launch ceremony earlier this month was complemented by a private viewing of “Into the Ocean: Journey Beneath”, a world-premiere exhibition presented by ArtScience Museum in collaboration with OceanX, described as one of the world’s leading ocean exploration organisations.

Sridhar Kandhadai, senior vice president of Asia property and asset management at Marina Bay Sands, said the initiative aimed to create opportunities for communities to engage with environmental issues in an accessible and meaningful manner.

“Marina Bay Sands remains committed to supporting meaningful engagement on sustainability across Singapore,” he stated.

Desmond Ho, trust secretary of SG Eco Fund, said the partnership sought to strengthen Singapore’s climate resilience.

“Through this partnership with Marina Bay Sands, we want to amplify awareness on the impacts of climate change and the need for adaptation, and inspire more ground-up initiatives within our community,” Mr Ho added.

Marina Bay Sands, promoted by Las Vegas Sands Corp, is one half of Singapore’s casino duopoly.

The latest collaboration forms part of the casino resort’s broader sustainability strategy, known as Sands ECO360. Marina Bay Sands said it saved 13 million litres of water through efficiency measures and achieved a 28-percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions in 2025 compared with its 2018 baseline. 

The casino complex is also participating in Singapore’s Go Green SG campaign for a fourth consecutive year. As part of this year’s programme, 22 retailers at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands are offering sustainability-focused products and experiences.