THE welfare of athletes will be among of the priorities of Senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero if they get elected to the highest posts of the land.
Poe talked about her vision when she announced her intention to run for president on Wednesday at the University of the Philippines Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City.
She said that a lot of government support is needed when it comes to sports and the performing arts.
“Dapat malaki din ang suporta ng ating pamahalaan. Kilala tayong malikhain na kultura, mga visual artists, writers, performers at iba pa. Ngunit hindi natin binibigyan ng tamang halaga at tulong ang sektor na ito. Kahit na binibigyan nila tayo ng karangalan, ano ang ating isinusukli? Sa palakasan naman, ang ating mga atleta ay kawawa din,” said Poe during her speech.
Poe added that when athletes go for the gold and dream of winning medals in the Olympics, government should be supportive of such aspirations.
“Siguro naman hindi natin dapat isuko ang pangarap na magkaroon tayo ng ginto sa Olympics,” said Poe, who will have Sen. Escudero as her running mate seeking the vice presidency.
Poe hinted that sports will be among the priorities that she will address should she make it as the next president of the Philippines, as part of the 20-point general plan that she outlined the other day.
Poe also talked about her views on infrastructure, issues on the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea), tourism, and climate change.
Escudero, on the other hand, emphasized the need to give government agencies, including the Philippine Sports Commission, the proper budget so that undertaking can be pursued without a hitch.
“Ipagtitibay po namin ni Senator Poe ang isang Gobyernong may Puso sa pamamagitan ng detalyadong plataporma para sa kada ahensya at opisina ng pamahalaan gamit ang taunang budget bilang balangkas nito. Ang susunod na pangulo po kasi ay maghihirang at magtatalaga ng mahigit kumulang 5,000 tao para sa mahigit-kumulang 500 opisina at ahensiya ng pamahalaan at siya po ay gagastos ng mahigit 18 trilyong piso sa loob ng anim na taon,” said Escudero.