AT LEAST 89 professional boxers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have yet to receive assistance from the government.

The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, revealed on their Facebook page that there are 128 fighters from Luzon, the bulk of them from CAR, that have not received their assistance since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country.

GAB, on its social media account, said as of October 28, there are 184 in Visayas and 213 from Mindanao that have yet to receive the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD's) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

For Luzon, there are 18 from Bicol Region, 15 from Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa, and six from Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.

With this development, La Trinidad-based boxing promoter Brico Santig of the Highland Boxing Promotions said they are looking forward to the possible assistance if ever they will be given or considered by the government since their livelihood was also affected by the pandemic.

“Sana we will be included this time. Although wala pa naming nag contact sa atin but hopefull pa rin tayo na matulungan,” added Santig.

Santig earlier vowed for another round of relief operations to local boxers who were affected by the pandemic.

The local boxing promoter said he is scheduled to talk to boxing patron and philanthropist Naris Singwancha about the relief operations.

In September, 56 professional boxers in CAR were able to receive relief courtesy of the Thai philanthropist.

Coursed through the Philippine Boxing Promoters and Managers Association (PBPMA), the relief is long overdue as all boxers were unable to earn a living since the start of the community quarantine in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Santig said he is hoping for the second wave of relief this November.

"Hopefully, after sa Cebu, baka pwede ulit tayong humirit ng second wave para sa mga boksingero dito," Santig earlier said.

Last week, the Naris Singwancha Foundation in coordination with the PBPMA, distributed rice and groceries to around 70 professional boxers and promoters in Cebu City.

“Malaking tulong ito for our boxers since lahat naman, e, affected ng pandemic and walang nakuhang amelioration,” added Santig.

Local fighters were supposed to be included in the list of social amelioration program (SAP) beneficiaries of the DSWD coursed by the GAB, to assist prizefighters deprived of work due to the pandemic.

While the two SAP batches were received by boxers from other areas in the Philippines, those who are based here in the Cordillera did not receive it. (Roderick Osis)