Key points:
- PAGCOR has granted PHP100m to fund a major sports and research complex in Ilocos Norte
- The INSPIRE facility will offer training, research and accommodation for athletes in Northern Luzon
- The initiative aims to elevate regional sports development and provide long-term community benefits
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has granted PHP100m ($1.74m) to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte to support the development of a new world-class sports and research facility.
The funding was officially handed over on 20 June during a ceremony attended by Casino Filipino Ilocos Norte Branch Manager Danilo Tejano and Senior Board Member Rafael Medina, representing Governor Matthew Manotoc.
The grant will go toward the construction of the Ilocos Norte Sports Institute and Research (INSPIRE) Training Development Center and Dormitory, a flagship project with a total projected cost of PHP400m.
Once completed, INSPIRE is expected to become a hub for advanced athletic training, sports science research and athlete accommodation – aiming to bolster grassroots and elite-level sports development in Northern Luzon.
Good to know: The INSPIRE complex is part of a broader push by local and national stakeholders to invest in youth and community development through sports infrastructure
Commenting on the development, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco stated: “This project will not only uplift our athletes but will also inspire future generations and strengthen Ilocos Norte’s capacity to craft sustainable world-class sports programs.”
The initiative aligns with PAGCOR’s expanding portfolio of public service contributions, including recent healthcare and military education projects.
