The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor) has committed PHP60.0 million (US$975,358) to fund scholarships for 2,000 students from low-income families in the province of Bulacan, as the gaming regulator continues to channel part of its revenues to education and community development initiatives.
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”.
