MORE infrastructure and facilities that are under the care of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) need to be upgraded.
PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said this on Tuesday following a general assembly with national sports associations at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The gear at the weightlifting gym are rusty and the track oval’s surface at the training camp in Baguio City is cracked, while the offices of the national sports associations and the Philippine Olympic Committee at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City are in need of repair work.
Gregorio told the gathering of his plan to prioritize maintenance of these facilities during his meeting with sports leaders, coaches and athletes and after an earlier board meeting.
“These facilities need to be upgraded,” said Gregorio as he presented his vision for the agency and listed his three key priorities — enhancing athletes’ welfare, professionalizing sport governance and facilities management, and boosting sports tourism.
The newly installed PSC chief also announced a P5,000 increase of national athletes’ and coaches’ allowances during his meeting with the commissioners. The uptick is set to take effect in August.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino attended the meeting, along with POC second vice president Richard Gomez, and Rep. Michael Faustino Carlos T. Dy III, who heads the House Committee on Youth and Sports, and the Philippine National Shooting Association.
“That’s very important to us, this direction the PSC is taking. There’s harmony and unity. This is like music,” said Tolentino.
Athletes classified as Platinum, including Olympic medalists and world champions, are receiving the highest monthly allowance allocation, amounting to P50,000 before the increased was announced.
On the other hand, athletes under the training Pool B used to get the lowest amount of P10,200, based on evaluation done by the PSC.
“We made 2,000 athletes and coaches happy today,” added Gregorio.
