Wednesday, February 13, 2008 GAB sets uniform aid for fallen boxers at P50K
IT seems Wakee Salud has prompted a policy change in the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Yesterday, GAB, led by chairman Eric Buhain, held an emergency meeting to address Salud’s complaint on why the agency only handed P10,000 financial aid to fallen boxer Alex Aroy of Maasin City.
Aroy died last Feb. 4 after a unanimous decision loss to Arnel Tadena.
GAB commissioner Angel Bautista said the P10,000 aid to Aroy, who was buried yesterday, was based on their old resolution. Salud complained why Aroy’s family got P10,000, while the family of the late Lito Sisnorio, who died after a fight in Thailand last year, got P100,000.
However, GAB boxing division chief, Nasser Cruz, clarified that Sisnorio’s family only got P50,000.
“It’s an old resolution, and we are already planning to change it,” Bautista told Sun.Star Superbalita.
After their emergency meeting, GAB decided to dole out a uniform P50,000 to every boxer who dies from the ring.
Welfare fund
“All GAB licensed boxers who die from the ring will get P50,000. It will be uniform already. If we don’t have any money in the welfare fund, I think, we will just find other resources. So we will add P40,000 to the P10,000 that Aroy will get,” said Bautista.
GAB charges one percent from every Pinoy fighter’s purse for their welfare fund.
Since the amount to be doled out has increased, GAB is also planning to increase the charge to two percent.
“The two percent is fine because it is for the welfare of the boxers,” said Salud.
Meanwhile, Maasin City boxers won’t let Aroy’s fate stop them from their dreams of boxing glory.
In a tribute to the fallen fighter at Philboxing.com, Maloney L Samaco wrote, “In Alex’s wake, I gathered all boxers, pro and amateur, who were present. Not one of them decided to stop boxing because of the ring tragedy and Aroy’s death challenged them more to give honor to Maasin City where Alex had left. Alex, their inspiration, will be buried on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Maasin Cemetery. But the passion among my other “sons” to fight and redeem Alex’s death will not be buried.” (ESL of Superbalita)
