IN keeping with President Marcos Jr.’s marching orders, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio yesterday bared his vision, goals and agenda for local sports for the next three years.
“Our plans and programs are based on the instructions of President BBM (Bongbong Marcos), which is ‘developing the prowess of our young athletes and championing their well-being,” said Gregorio, quoting the Chief Executive, during his first general assembly meeting with the country’s key stakeholders, including National Sports Association leaders, coaches and athletes, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Marking his sixth day in office and a meeting with his commissioners yesterday, Gregorio identified the key issues that needed to be addressed right away: sports governance, resource management “that ought to be focused on development and not rewards,” grassroots and high-performance development, sports infrastructures and athletes’ welfare support.
Having identified the areas of concern, Gregorio disclosed his vision of the PSC that “must cultivate a sports development program that builds and strengthens a proud nation.”
A former rowing chief and secretary general of boxing and the Philippine Olympic Committee, he said the government sports agency’s relevance was in being the “chief enabler of athletes and sports organizations across the country.
“To be vibrant, the PSC must unlock the potential towards achieving national development goals and enhancing the nation’s global appeal,” added Gregorio, who used to be a hotelier and is aware of the sports tourism potential.
“The PSC must lead in developing a culture of wellness and nurturing a champion mentality through sports, in coordination with all government agencies involved in sports,” he explained.
For this vision to be realized, Gregorio set strategic targets regarding enhancing the athletes’ welfare, professionalizing sports governance and facilities management, and boosting sports tourism.
“We need to support programs for athletes built on efficiency, responsiveness, and accountability, and we need to strengthen our institutional capacity to implement professional standards in sports administration and facility operations,” he said.
He recognized the value of sports tourism so that “Philippine hosting of international sports events must be done well to make sure they leverage the potential of sports to support economic and development.”
Putting his money where his mouth is, the PSC honcho announced “six intermediate interventions” that would be done right away, including the addition of P5,000 to the allowance of coaches and athletes in the national pool, which was met with applause by those present.
He said the PSC will also renew the process in buying new training tracksuits “with a simplified process and design to ensure no failed building, a new food concessionaire that will reactivate the athletes’ cafeterias inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Philsports Arena (in Pasig City) and Baguio soon.”
So that the needs of athletes and coaches would be addressed as soon as possible, he said that the PSC would have a “24/7 help desk for athletes to enhance athletes’ support and that the process of disbursing allowances would be within five days upon completing documentary support.”
With the recommendation of the executive director, Atty. Guillermo Iroy, Jr., Gregorio said the implementing rules and regulations for the building of the law-enacted Philippine Sports Training Center could finally begin.
“We are here in the PSC not as a boss but to be an enabler. We empower ourselves by empowering others,” he said.
POC president Bambol Tolentino, who was present during the meeting, emphasized the fact that most, if not all, of the stakeholders were present, symbolizing the “harmony and unity we have with the PSC. When we have these, our mutual goals will be achieved.
