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Friday, March 29, 2024

SMC donates P50M to PH Olympic body

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The Philippine Olympic Committee was expecting a cash donation of P20 million for its projects and activities from San Miguel Corporation.

SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang (third from left) and SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua (right) present their company’s donation to the POC presented by POC president Ricky Vargas (second from left) and Secretary-General Patrick Gregorio.

Instead, POC President Ricky Vargas and Secretary-General Patrick Gregorio got a surprise when they dropped by the San Miguel Corporation offices in Ortigas yesterday.

SMC President and COO Ramon S. Ang presented them a check worth P50 million.

“I was pleasantly shocked and momentarily speechless,” said Vargas in a statement.

The POC chief added that they did not expect this much from SMC.

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“The P20 million was already generous, but the additional P30 million really highlights the commitment of San Miguel Corp. and Mr. Ang to Philippine sports. I am beyond grateful,” added Vargas.

On the other hand, Ang said that they are willing to lend a hand as a “Sports Godfather.”

Ang told Vargas that SMC has always believed that sports plays an important role in building a nation’s character.

Meanwhile, SMC Sports Director Alfrancis Chua added that he recommended the additional amount because the San Miguel group supports the leadership of Vargas and Gregorio. 

Chua added that SMC is backing the forward-looking programs of the POC.

He took note of the POC’s efforts to work with national sports associations in order to ramp up the development and training of their individual athletes.

Vargas asked Gregorio to put together a group that would include Communications Director Ed Picson and newly-appointed POC General Manager Art Aro to identify which sports which they could prioritize for financial help from donations to the POC.

The cash donation from SMC comes at a time when the Philippine Sports Commission won’t be releasing funding yet for the national contingent that’s set to go the Asian Games in Indonesia.

The government agency has a budget allocation of P72 million for the PH Team’s participation in the Asiad. 

But the PSC said that an unliquidated amount of P10.3 million used for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games needs to be accounted for.

The funds from the PSC will eventually be released once the POC’s liquidation report is completed.

There are around 285 athletes expected to be sent to the Indonesia Asian Games set from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2.

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