MANILA, Philippines — Some 300 workers are expected to be hired sometime early next year as the P1 billion online gaming and amusement-hotel complex located in front of the Clark International Airport Corporation is set to begin its operations inside the Freeport Zone.

During the ground breaking ceremonies over the weekend, the officials of the Eaglesky Technology Amusement and Gaming, Inc. (ESTAG) President Ireneo Alvaro, Jr. said firm is excited to open new gates of employment should the new hotel building is constructed soon.

Alvaro, former Angeles City councilor, said the Taiwanese-owned firm will create a state-of-the-art building costing about P.8 billion, which will start hiring more personnel in the first quarter of 2012.

“Another P200 million will be used to buy gaming equipment,” added Alvaro. He described the project as a “dream come true” as they began to conceptualize the project “half a decade ago.”

CEO Tony Huang and Chairman Yang of ESTAG, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and CEO Felipe Antonio Remollo, Philippine Games and Amusement Corp. (PAGCOR) Director Enriquito Nuguid and Alvaro led the time-capsule laying at the ESTAG’s facility just across the airport. The proposed casino-hotel building is six-storey and designed by Arch. Jonathan Gan.

Alvaro also said that they plan to bring in “junket players,” most of whom will arrive at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

“We are planning to bring in casino players in a group from other countries,” said Alvaro. Once the gaming amusement project is completed, it will be the sixth casino project that will operate inside Clark.

He added that the ESTAG don’t want to directly compete with other casinos at Clark which generally get walk-in foreign and local players. The other casinos are at the Fontana Leisure Estate (FLE), Mimosa Leisure Estate (MLE), Oxford Hotel, Stotsenburg Hotel, and Widus Hotel.

Remollo said the ESTAG’s project “makes Clark the center of business in the country.” He added “it’s a medium-scale development and bigger ones will also be launched next year.”

Nuquid said PAGCOR had wanted to see developments not just in Metro Manila but in “Clark as well to push for progress.”

Alvaro appealed to local government officials, especially to Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting and Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales (who was represented by his son Dwight) to help them hire more than 300 employees when they begin operations.

“Let’s have job-matching as we will begin the city college next year,” said Pamintuan, referring to the Angeles City Community College.

“Driven by its desire to provide world-class entertainment, state-of-the-art amusement and IT (Information Technolgy) solutions, ESTAG breaks new foundation in the Philippines by combining the most luxurious hotel accommodations, gaming facilities, IT hub, entertainment centers, high end boutiques, and shops, restaurants and spas, all in one lavish an illustrious complex,” said ESTAG in a statement.

The ESTAG was established in Clark in 2005. It’s engaged in creating gaming software, employing more than 100 workers.