PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman Noli Eala yesterday urged National Sports Associations to practice “responsible autonomy” regarding the financial support and other aid being given to them by government sports agency.
“We will respect the autonomy of the NSA but it has to be what I can describe as ‘responsible autonomy.’ We will not interfere in implementing their programs and how to run their NSAs. But public funds are being used for their sports programs and that is what we (the PSC and NSAs) are responsible for,” Eala stressed.
He conveyed these sentiments during the PSC’s first consultative meeting with the NSAs and the Philippine Olympic Committee under his chairmanship at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
“This consultative meeting is meant to iron out the kinks in our relationship with the NSAs, the beginning of a dialogue between our partners as they bring their concerns to us and we bring our concerns to them,” he added.
He said the framework of cooperation and relationship among the three parties was patterned after the “Agenda 2020” of the International Olympic Committee “which is what local organizations should follow and respect the domestic law.”
To help the NSAs along, particularly in “the always problematic area of liquidations and disbursements,” Eala invited Atty. Kenneth Joy Quimio of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Jeorge Lozano of the Commission on Audit to explain to the NSA sports officials the guidelines and documents needed in transacting with the PSC.
“They (Quimio and Lozano) can help in their (NSAs) compliance with the regulations of the government. Hindi ito pahirap. Even the IOC recognizes this responsibility and accountability,” Eala pointed out.
He recalled what Sen. Bong Go, who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee and is the Senate Sports Committee chairman, said during the Senate hearing last Monday on the PSC’s proposed P5.216 billion budget for 2023.
