An “ultra-modern” corporate center of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will soon rise in Ermita, Manila to ensure the agency’s efficient and smooth delivery of services.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and PCSO general manager Mel Robles led the groundbreaking rites on Thursday for the PHP2.2-billion PCSO Corporate Center, which would serve as the permanent home for the agency’s employees and stakeholders and would ensure 24/7 operational capability for designated operations.

Robles said the project would significantly enhance the state lottery agency’s corporate image and strengthen its ability to fulfill its mandate of raising and providing funds for national health-related projects and charities.

“While the PCSO Offices are now housed in Mandaluyong City, it is still not home to us. As such, at the outset of my tenure, I was with you in dreaming for a permanent place to call our very own. [The] PCSO Corporate Center will rise as a symbol of the dedication of PCSO officials and employees who dared to dream through the years. Allow me to recognize all of you for this vision, which now will become our legacy to our stakeholders, to our gaming patrons, to the public, and to all Filipinos,” Robles said in a news release.

The project is expected to be completed by October 2026.

Three separate major buildings will be linked to form the PCSO Corporate Center for efficient circulation, accessibility, and smooth operations.

The first structure is the Corporate Building, a seven-story facility with a concrete roof deck that will accommodate frontline services, medical and charity departments, other satellite government offices, and additional spaces for employees’ well-being.

The second structure is the Gaming and Multi-Purpose Building with three floors dedicated to draw court and gaming operations, complemented by multi-purpose areas for social events.

Meanwhile, the Logistics and Parking Building is a five-story structure integrating multi-level parking, warehousing facilities, and printing operations to streamline logistics.

Some key features of the Corporate Center include the provision for Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled facilities and the utilization of advanced engineering technology for earthquake resistance.

It also has an Integrated Facilities Management System (IFS) for efficient building operations and maintenance.

Bersamin said the groundbreaking is a testament to the PCSO’s vision and a beacon of progress.

“Given your efforts leading to today, this will surely positively impact the quality of your service to your stakeholders, to the gaming community, to the ever-growing patrons of the PCSO, and the general public,” Bersamin said. (PNA)