URDANETA CITY—Groundbreaking rites were held October 29 for a10-classroom building at the Camantiles Elementary School here, a P13.5-million project funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Pagcor Chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr., together with Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Gregory Perez IV and Dr. Ma. Cecilia Fernandez, schools division superintendent, led the ceremony for the construction in the school that was submerged in floodwaters and mud when Typhoon Pepeng devastated many parts of Pangasinan three years ago.

Naguiat said the Presidents also approved the riprapping project for gabion type protective wall behind the school, which is situated near a river, to prevent erosion and flooding in the future.

Naguiat, whose wife hails from this city and himself lived here for 10 years, told local newsmen that he will do his best to help make the city achieve a zero backlog in classroom requirements under President Benigno Aquino III’s administration.

The Camantiles project is expected to be finished in 155 days.

Naguiat said this is part of Pagcor’s corporate social responsibility, similar to what the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office does in distributing ambulances and medical assistance.

Last year, Pagcor allocated P1-billion for the construction of classrooms nationwide, according to Naguiat, and this has been doubled to P2 billion this year.

Pagcor, the third biggest revenue earner agency of the government, after the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs, reported a gross revenue of P35-billion in 2011.

Naguiat said they are eyeing to break the P40-billion mark this year.

At the same time, Naguiat stressed “We don’t go to places (to build and operate casino) unless we are invited by the community and organizations”.

“But we don’t force ourselves. We study first (when we are invited),” he added, when asked about how Pagcor’s plan in the past to set up a casino in the city was strongly opposed by several sectors.

NO GOOD

Meanwhile, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, an anti-gambling advocate, wrote in his blogspot that “Something is wrong…There is the much favored gambling culture in the country – particularly in terms of casinos plus many other legal and illegal gambling forms”.

He also commented last week on the government’s on-going preparation to put up a massive “entertainment” complex in a prime location in Metro Manila, which the retired prelate said will basically be a big gambling den.

“…its centerpiece remains gambling and more gambling,” he said.

Cruz also noted that gambling establishments attract big-time high rollers, both local and foreign, which also pull in money launderers and gambling addicts.

“For heaven’s sake, how can gambling be a feature of ‘Matuid na daan?’” he asked.—Eva Visperas

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