PMA, Bloomberry Foundation ink deal for modern warfare laboratory

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI) formally signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of a Modern Warfare Laboratory at Fort del Pilar.

The agreement was signed by PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard N. Valencia and BCFI President Donato C. Almeda, and witnessed by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro H. Tengco on Friday, July 10, 2026.

Shared commitment to nation-building

In his message, Valencia underscored that strong partnerships between government institutions and the private sector are vital pillars of nation-building. He said the Modern Warfare Laboratory reflects a shared commitment to investing in the education and development of future military leaders who will safeguard the country's sovereignty in an increasingly complex security environment.

Tengco said PAGCOR's support for the academy aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to help strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He also acknowledged the generosity of PAGCOR's licensees, whose support has made projects benefiting the country's future defenders possible.

For his part, Almeda reaffirmed BCFI's commitment to supporting PMA as a meaningful contribution to nation-building.

"Kapag pinalakas ang sandatahan, pinalalakas din natin ang sambayanan," Almeda said.

He also expressed satisfaction that the Regis Hall, Enrile Hall, and Florendo Hall cadet barracks—previously donated through the foundation and its partners—continue to serve generations of cadets.

Facility for future warfare

The two-story Modern Warfare Laboratory, with an approximate floor area of 5,612 square meters, will replace the former PMA Hospital and transform the site into a technology-enabled academic facility.

The building will house multi-purpose lecture rooms and classrooms, drone simulation and robotics stations, virtual reality simulation rooms, Army, Navy, and Air Force simulator systems, planning rooms, a Joint Wargaming Room, a Tactical Command Post Room, administrative and support facilities, a lobby, cafeteria, and a rooftop equipped with solar panels.

Designed to support the PMA Growth Plan, the facility will provide cadets with practical exposure to simulation, cyber and information operations, unmanned systems, and other emerging technologies that define today's operational environment.

Long-term investment

The project originated from a priority proposal presented to Tengco during his visit to PMA in February 2025, reflecting the shared commitment of PMA, PAGCOR, and BCFI to strengthen military education through strategic public-private collaboration.

More than a new academic building, the Modern Warfare Laboratory is intended as a long-term investment in education, innovation, and national security. By equipping future officers with the knowledge, skills, and technological competencies required for modern warfare, the facility advances PMA's goal of becoming a world-class military academy while strengthening the AFP's readiness to meet the challenges of the 21st-century security environment.