PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. thumbed down the proposed creation of a Department of Sports, saying that it “may not be a good idea.”
Cojuangco said the establishment of such an agency will not be able to fully address the needs of the national sports associations and the athletes.
“It’s (now) being handled the way it should be. Once we get it into a department, it’s going to be difficult,” said Cojuangco during the recent launch of the PSC’s coffee table book entitled, “The Triumph of Philippine Sports in 25 Years,” at the PSC Athletes’ Dining Hall in Vito Cruz, Manila.
Cojuangco said that under a sports department, there may not be enough budget to be allocated to athletes and qualified people to run it at the regional level.
The POC chief said that the Philippine Sports Commission is doing a great job in addressing the needs of the NSAs and the athletes, as well as its thrust to discover young talents at the grassroots level.
“Its (PSC) programs are now attracting the youth. From the very first staging of the Batang Pinoy, we can see that many of the youth who joined are now seeing action in international competitions,” added Cojuangco.
The creation of a DOS is being pushed by newly elected 1Pacman partylist solon Mikee Romero, who said that such a department can help find ways to give direct financial assistance to athletes and programs, which will help solve a lot of problems in Philippine sports.
Romero said this will be made possible since the DOS will be a cabinet position directly under the supervision of the incoming administration.
Romero said that with the creation of a DOS, the government will be able the address the various needs of Philippine sports, including infrastructure and solve perennial problems such as lack of training, the need for a comprehensive grassroots program and inadequate sports facilities.