Mendoza: To the NSAs, just do it now: Liquidate or die

Saturday, January 7, 2012

ALWAYS, it seems like the liquidation aspect bugs the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) no end.

Thus, again, we see PSC Chair Richie Garcia, who just lost a son, 38, that had succumbed to a heart attack last Christmas in Bacolod (my deepest condolences, Sir), issuing yet another circular reminding our national sports associations (NSAs) to comply with liquidation rules.

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We all know that the PSC doles out money to the nation’s 58 NSAs to fund the training of their athletes as well as to take care of the salaries of coaches, trainers and other pertinent personnel.

I can perfectly understand Richie’s latest move.

Known hereabouts as a very upright person, Richie’s action merely validates his reputation and likewise wants to stress the importance of following policies and regulations.

For one, since the PSC handles government money, it has to be always seriously careful as government money is people’s money.

For another, performing liquidations is SOP not only in government but also in private institutions.

When I was still with the Inquirer (after 20 years of being there, the last seven years as sports editor, I retired in 2006), I actually detested doing liquidations after every coverage of the SEA Games, Asian Games and Olympic Games.

Each time, I would say, “The company gives you a budget based on the budget that you have submitted. Why do you still have to itemize all your expenses upon completion of your mission? Isn’t that crazy? Isn’t that being a waste of time, if not downright redundant?”

The company accountant would say, “That’s the company policy, an accounting rule. You can’t fight rules.”

So, I followed the rules to the letter, producing one receipt after another to back up my expenses. (Un-receipted taxi fares would seriously dent my budget.)

I’m sure I might have overshot my budget each time, spending my own money to survive the arenas of battle--without getting reimbursements in the process.

Just fine. Goes with the territory.

You work your butt off, it’d still be eternal bliss if it ended hitch-free.

So, to the NSAs, just do it.

Liquidate now, please?

(alsol47@yahoo.com)