WITH enough resources, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will be able to complete the improvements being done on facilities under its care.
With the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) committing around P37 billion to the PSC over the next 10 years, the country will have upgraded sports venues that are up to international standards.
Chairman Patrick Gregorio said this with the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center nearing completion within the next two days and ready for staging of the 2026 Philippine Women’s Open Tennis WTA-125 Championships.
“So, this will be a new Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in 2026. Something you will be proud of,” said Gregorio.
Officials of the PSC and PAGCOR recently met to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision affirming the agency’s increased funding under Republic Act No. 6847, with the gaming corporation increasing its monthly remittance to the PSC to around P500 million.
“This is more or less P37 billion and that’s 10 years,” said Gregorio.
The PAGCOR has agreed to remit 5% of its gross income per annum to the PSC, dating back from 1993 to the present. The deal will be done within the next 10 years, according to Gregorio.
“Nagkamayan na kami at nagkausap na kami ni chairman. And we will start getting for more funding by the end of January,” said Gregorio in his recent talks with PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is also remitting 30% of the charity fund from six sweepstakes or lottery draws annually, covering the period from 2006 to the present.
The Rizal Memorial Tennis Center will have its makeovers done and ready by Friday, in time for the qualifying rounds this weekend of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open.
The upgrades include expanded seating for 2,000 spectators, to go with a new media center.
Up next is the baseball stadium, which is set for a “major facelift” with support from the DPWH to retrofit the historic venue. Gregorio said the timeline for this is six months.
The football stadium will also be improved in coordination with the International Football Federation, with the track oval being moved to the Philsports Complex in Pasig.
