I APPLAUD the Philippine Sports Commission. They listen. They don’t sit behind their desks at the PSC head office in Rizal Memorial Stadium. They travel. Two days ago, they landed here in Mactan. Today, they’re having consultations in Davao. In the coming weeks, they’ll visit Batangas, Manila, Naga and Baguio. They engage the LGUs. They talk to the athletes and ask for their needs. This is a government body in action.
Chairman Butch Ramirez and Commissioners Ramon Fernandez and Charles Raymond Maxey joined several top officials from the PSC in Cebu last Tuesday.
“We’re happy with the turnout, we were happy that mayors and governors from the Visayas attended this meeting,” said Commissioner Maxey said in the CDN article, “Sports development in PH looking good,” by Calvin Cordova. “Through this activity, the LGUs now have the grasp of what really is the direction that PSC is taking. We are here to help the LGUs craft their own sports program.”
The PSC discussed Executive Orders 63 and 64 that involves the reactivation of the National Physical Fitness and Sports Development Council (PSFDC). I say “reactivation” because during the term of Pres. Fidel Ramos, the PSFDC was founded. It was started, gained attention but never fully developed. Not anymore. Not with the current PSC team who wants to get this moving.
Sport is important not just for Olympic or SEA Games medals. We spend millions of pesos for that elusive Olympic gold medal. Yes, that’s an important goal; but is it the most important? Enter PSFDC, which aims to create Filipinos who are active, healthy, athletic and robust.
“Sports has the power to transform a society,” Ramirez said. “It’s about human development. It’s not all about winning medals. Let’s promote a healthy community and happy citizenry.”
Much like what our Edward Hayco has done with grassroots development in Cebu City, the PSC plans to do the same. They are tapping not only the governors and mayors but also the barangay officials.
“This is a good program,” Mary Joy Tabal, Cebu’s Olympian, was quoted as saying by Rommel Manlosa. “The creation of this sports development council will boost the Philippine Sports Institute. As an athlete, this is all what we dreamed of and I am throwing my full support to this endeavor.”
Led by “mga Bisaya” like Ramirez, Fernandez and Maxey, this PSC is go-go-go. So unlike the POC (Peping Overstaying Cojuangco).