President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. favors a proposal to beef up the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) with more personnel to enable it to effectively carry out its anti-doping mandate, Malacañang announced on Sunday.
PHI-NADO is the country’s accredited anti-doping organization under the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
PSC chairman Richard Bachmann and executive director Paulo Francisco Tatad met recently with the President in Malacañang to inform him of the country’s compliance with the World Anti-doping Code (WADC).
The PSC proposed the strengthening of PHI-NADO to ensure compliance with the WADC and in preparation for the upcoming World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) audit.
“We need to be independent in terms of operational decisions and activities as provided by the World Anti-Doping Code [Article] 20.5.1 granted to the NADOs, without limitation by prohibiting any involvement in operational decision or activities, at the same time involved in management or operations of the federations, the major event organizations, the National Olympic Committee, the National Paralympic Committee, government departments with responsibility for sports as well. So, operational independence from the said entities,” Tatad said.
House Bill No. 7927 was filed in May last year call9ing for the creation of PHI-NADO attached to the PSC. The bill is still pending at the House’s Committee on Youth and Sports Development.
“This would entail the creation of plantilla positions for the PHI-NADO and allocation of a separate budget. For 2024, the PHI-NADO has an estimated budget requirement of PhP40.87 million for its operational expenses,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, in the same meeting at Malacañang, said PHI-NADO may use the funds under the PSC while awaiting result on their request.
“In the meantime, you can work already for the additional positions under PSC just for transition while waiting for the Executive order,” Pangandaman said.