PAGCOR Unveils First Socio-Civic Center In Batangas

Agoncillo, Batangas – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) formally unveiled its latest Socio-Civic Center on Wednesday, two years after the project's groundbreaking in March 2022.

The marker of the PAGCOR Socio-Civic Center in the town’s Barangay Pansipit is unveiled. I Photos: PAGCOR

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco led the inauguration ceremony for the PHP50 million state-of-the-art structure located in Barangay Pansipit, a village named after the river that connects Taal Lake to Balayan Bay.

The two-story facility is designed to serve as a venue for various events, social gatherings, educational activities, and programs of the local government, as well as an evacuation center during calamities.

Mr. Tengco emphasized the importance of such projects in promoting community development and resilience.

He explained that PAGCOR rebranded its previous multi-purpose evacuation facilities into Socio-Civic Centers to reflect their broader utility.

“Minarapat po naming tawaging Socio-Civic Center ang mga gusaling ito sapagkat hindi lamang ito dapat na magamit sa mga panahon ng sakuna kundi para sa pagdaraos ng iba’t ibang programa at mga aktibidad,” Mr. Tengco said.

The new PAGCOR Socio-Civic Center is expected to contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Agoncillo. Its modern design and facilities make it an ideal venue for events, training sessions, and conferences for the surrounding communities.

To date, PAGCOR has completed and unveiled 39 Socio-Civic Centers nationwide, with an additional 33 centers currently under construction. During the ceremony, Mr. Tengco also announced the donation of two desktop computers to the municipal government of Agoncillo.

Agoncillo Mayor Cinderella V. Reyes expressed her gratitude to PAGCOR for its continued support.

“We are deeply grateful to PAGCOR for the unwavering support. This Socio-Civic Center will undoubtedly become a cornerstone structure in our town, providing a venue for numerous activities that will benefit our residents. We look forward to maximizing its potential to foster unity and progress in Agoncillo," she said.

Classified as a 4th-class municipality, Agoncillo has previously benefited from PAGCOR’s Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

In 2022, the town received PHP30 million for the construction of the PAGCOR Village, a housing project designed to provide safe and permanent shelter for families displaced by the frequent eruptions of Taal Volcano.