The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) officially allocated 100 million Philippine pesos (approximately 1.74 million US dollars) to the government of Ilocos Norte Province to support the construction of the Ilocos Norte Sports Academy and Research (INSPIRE) Training Development Center and dormitory facilities.
This allocation was transferred by Danilo Tejano, the manager of PAGCOR's Ilocos Norte branch, and was received on behalf of the governor Matthew Manotoc by senior board member Rafael Medina during the ceremony. The INSPIRE project is a provincial key infrastructure with an overall budget estimated at 400 million pesos, aimed at serving athletes from northern Luzon by providing integrated support in training, research, and accommodation.
Once completed, INSPIRE will become a regional hub for nurturing sports talents and conducting sports science research, promoting the simultaneous development of grassroots and elite sports, and bringing continuous social benefits to the Ilocos Norte community.
Alejandro H. Tengco, the Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, stated: "This project is not only about empowering athletes but also investing in the future of the younger generation and the community, marking a crucial step towards sustainable sports development."
This funding also aligns with PAGCOR's recent expansion of public service projects, including medical and military education among other areas, reflecting its active role in reinvesting gambling revenues into social infrastructure.
