PSC, PAGCOR partner for sports infrastructure upgrade

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January 20, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — To boost Filipino athletes’ capabilities, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) have agreed to collaborate on finishing and upgrading sports facilities nationwide, Malacañang said yesterday.

Facilities to be completed include the Ilocos Norte Sports Institute and Research Building, which will contain training venues for bowling, gymnastics, badminton, sepak takraw and other sports.

The government is expecting the collaboration to hasten the development of Siargao’s General Luna Convention Center into a specialized watersports training facility and academy for surfing, coastal rowing, beach sprints and dragon boat racing.

Siargao Sports Complex will also be upgraded to include facilities for basketball, volleyball, badminton, a rubberized track oval, an athletes’ dormitory and a convention center.

Other facilities to be covered by the partnership are the Zamboanga City Sports Complex and the Athletic Bowl in Baguio City, which will be transformed into regional training centers in Zamboanga Peninsula and Cordilleras, respectively.

The Athletic Bowl, which is being rehabilitated, will have a track and field oval with grandstand, an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts and other amenities.

The PAGCOR is expected to help the PSC with its sports value chain empowerment initiatives, including a revitalized grassroots sports development program.

Among the initiatives are the provision of sports equipment nationwide, integration of sports education, coach empowerment as well as systematic identification and development of athletic talent.

Officials of PSC and PAGCOR tackled the partnership during a Jan. 15 meeting with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

“The PAGCOR and PSC will help each other to provide adequate facilities, support and a decent space to enhance the skills of Filipino athletes,” Recto said in a statement.

“Through this partnership, we reaffirm the government’s commitment to investing in Filipino potential, building not only champions in sports, but also national pride and opportunity for communities across the country,” Recto said.