PSC assures support to national atheletes

PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez made the assurance during their second consultative meeting with all the members of the national team held on Friday at the Philsports arena in Pasig City. (Photo: PSC (Philippine Sports Commission)/ Facebook)

MANILA–The Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) vowed its support to national athletes as they are at the thick of preparations for the forthcoming 29th Southeaast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur starting August 19 (2017).

PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez made the assurance during their second consultative meeting with all the members of the national team held on Friday at the Philsports arena in Pasig City.

At the same, Ramirez emphasized that those national athletes who were allegedly removed without “due process” by their respective national sports associations, will continue to receive their monthly allowances and are permitted to use all facilities of the the sports body.

The PSC official action came during the open forum, when some members of the national team sought PSC’s assistance about the issue of “non-payment” of their monthly stipend.

Ramirez pointed out that an athlete or a (national) coach shall not be removed without due process.

The issue stemmed, when a number of national athletes were allegedly delisted in the national pool by their respective sports associations without justifiable reasons.

During the almost three-hour consultative meeting, Ramirez also announced that his agency through a board resolution has approved the increase of the monthly allowance and meal allowance of the members of the national training pool –starting from the developmental to the so-called “Priority or Class A athletes.”

The PSC Board also approved the increase of travel allowance of athletes who are bound for international competitions and those allowed to train in other countries.

Ramirez made use of the forum to explain his agency’s mandate and role. On top of the functions are visitorial and supervisory covered under Republic Act 6847) that created the government sports body.

The PSC official said, they recognized the role of the National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as private organizations, but under the law “we are mandated to exercise those powers –to safeguard the people’s money (taxpayers). The PSC spend a monthly average of PHP100 to 200 million.