Senator wants Pagcor to invest in weather center

Senator Ralph Recto wants gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp to set aside P3 billion ($66.4 billion) of its earnings to modernize the operations of the state weather bureau, PAGASA.

According to local media GMA Network, Recto said the amount represents the national government's 5 -percent share from Pagcor's income.

“If we need to get it from gaming revenues, so be it. We need the money so we don't have to roll the dice – or read the cards – in predicting if it will rain tomorrow,” he was quoted as saying.

In his proposal, Recto said the funds will help PAGASA buy modern equipment to set up a world-class weather data center.

Recto added that two casino resorts are set to open in the next few years: Manila Bayshore, a joint venture between Alliance Global Group Inc. and Malaysia’s Genting Group; and Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada’s Manila BayResorts.

In 2014, Pagcor booked revenue of P39.9 billion and remitted P14 billion to the national government.

 

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