San Miguel Infrastructure, a unit of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), will build a new headquarters for gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) as part of a 25-year lease within its 15-hectare Nayong Pilipino property in Pasay City.  

The company said on Monday that it will build PAGCOR’s P2.45 billion, 40,000-square-meter office on a two-hectare section of the site at no cost to the government.

The remaining portion of the property, on the other hand, will be utilized by SMC for its airport development project, which aims to contribute to the country’s economic growth. 

“Our goal is to maximize the potential of this property for the public’s benefit, ensuring the success of our airport development,” SMC chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said.

World-class workplace

For PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, the development is crucial in consolidating PAGCOR’s operations and creating a world-class workplace, while also opening opportunities for additional revenue by leasing out unused portions of the new facility. 

As part of the agreement, SMC handed over nearly P100 million in advance rental payments and security deposits during the signing ceremony last Thursday.

SMC leads the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). It has been actively pursuing the demolition of the Philippine Village Hotel in Pasay City to make way for a new passenger terminal.

Key anti-airport congestion measures

Since assuming management of NAIA in September, NNIC has introduced several key measures to tackle airport congestion, aging infrastructure and operational inefficiencies. These include the ongoing renovation of Terminal 4 and the reactivation of six wide-body passenger boarding bridges.

NNIC has also optimized gate use at Terminal 3, with two swing gates now handling domestic and international flights.

Additional improvements include the introduction of a “fly-to-gate” biometric system, faster internet connectivity, the clearing of 1,800 parking slots, and the expansion of road networks.

Terminal curbside lanes are being widened, and in partnership with Meralco, NNIC is constructing a 115KV substation and installing a 6.12 MW uninterruptible power supply system at Terminal 3 to bolster power security.

By early 2025, NNIC plans to redistribute flights, with Terminal 3 focusing on international operations to alleviate congestion and optimize runway usage.

The company has allocated P1.58 billion in regular annuities and invested P420 million to support employee transitions.