The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has secured P379.48 million in funding for the construction of a Modern Warfare Laboratory, a facility designed to train future military officers using advanced defense technologies and simulation systems.

The funding, provided by the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI) under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s (PAGCOR) corporate social responsibility program, was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed Friday at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City.

PMA Superintendent Vice Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia and BCFI President Donato Almeda signed the agreement, witnessed by PAGCOR chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco.

The two-story facility, with a floor area of about 5,600 square meters, will replace the former PMA Station Hospital and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027.

It will house lecture halls, drone simulation and robotics stations, virtual reality simulation rooms, Army, Navy and Air Force simulator systems, a joint wargaming room, tactical command post facilities and other support areas.

The laboratory is intended to expose cadets to cyber operations, unmanned systems, information warfare and other emerging technologies shaping modern military operations.

Valencia said the project reflects the importance of partnerships between government and the private sector in strengthening military education.

“The Modern Warfare Laboratory represents our shared commitment to investing in future military leaders who will protect the country’s sovereignty in an increasingly complex security environment,” he said.

Tengco said PAGCOR’s support is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to help strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capabilities.

He also thanked Bloomberry Cultural Foundation and its chairman, Enrique Razon Jr., for supporting military modernization through education and infrastructure projects.

For his part, Almeda reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to the academy.

“When we strengthen the armed forces, we also strengthen the nation,” he said.

The project traces its origins to a proposal presented to Tengco during his visit to the PMA in February 2025.

The demolition of the old PMA hospital is expected to begin in the coming weeks to make way for the construction of the new training facility, which forms part of the academy’s long-term modernization program.

Under PAGCOR regulations, integrated resort operators are required to establish foundations and allocate part of their revenues to programs supporting education, healthcare, cultural heritage, sports development and other nation-building initiatives.