President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. said that the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), celebrating its 34th founding anniversary, has been fulfilling its mandate and duty to promote inclusivity in sports and deliver the best services for the national athletes.
“For nearly three and a half decades, the Commission has done and fulfilled its duty. The fruits of their labor should not be reflected on scoreboards and medals won alone,” said Marcos, as he hosted a thanksgiving event yesterday at the Heroes Hall of Malacañan Palace.
The occasion showcased the PSC’s accomplishments the previous year and its plans on the rehabilitation of its sports facilities, in line with its mandate of employing sports as a unifying force for the nation, and as a promotional vehicle for inclusivity and for sustaining an individual’s wellness and mental health.
“If your mandate is to promote sports that are inclusive, then it must include a sector that is fighting for inclusivity. If your mission is to mainstream sports in all aspects of national life, then it begins by bringing into the fold those who are seen to be in the margins,” added the President.
PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann expressed his gratitude to the President for his unwavering assistance to the sports agency, helping it fulfill its constitutional task of reaching every corner of the country.
“We are grateful for the support from the President and the national government which was key in reaching our success in 2023. And we look forward to making a stronger thrust in grassroots sports development and serve as instruments of peace, through sports,” said Bachmann.
Just recently, the agency chief visited the cities of Davao, Cotabato, Marawi, Iligan and Ozamis to engage in a dialogue with sports coordinators in expanding the PSC’s grassroots talent identification and imposing sports as an instrumentality of peace for the region.
The event also coincided with the awarding of incentives to the victorious para athletes from the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China last year, carrying out the mandate of Republic Act 10699.
“I am standing here as the Cheerleader-in-Chief to our athletes during the 4th Asian Para Games who have garnered the best result that the country has ever had. Ang gagaling ninyo, salamat sa inyong laban,” the President told the para-athletes and coaches present at the reception.
Team Philippines collected a total of 10 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze medals, placing ninth overall among 44 competing nations.
Philippine Paralympic Committee’s (PPC) President Mike Barredo was present in the showpiece event together with the medalists Jerrold Pete Mangliwan, Jean-Lee Nacita, Jasper Rom, Arman Subaste, Cheryl Angot, Darry Bernardo, Henry Roger Lopez, Cheyzer Crystal Citadel Mendoza, Menandro Redor, Sander Severino, Gary Bejino, and Ernie Gawilan, along with their coaches and immediate families.
This year’s anniversary, dubbed “Empowering Champions, Inspiring Generations,” braces for the challenging task of continuing the cycle of history and milestones established by the current Filipino athletes.