THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is discussing with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to give national athletes the chance to acquire professional and sub-professional eligibility.
The CSC eligibility is one of the requirements for those who want to pursue a career in any government agency.
Sought for comment, national athlete Mary Joy Tabal said this is a great development for them since they will not be athletes forever. The eligibility will give them another career path after calling it a career.
“It’s a good program. Athletes will make better public servants because of the discipline and dedication we have for our work and for the country,” the 2016 Rio Olympian said.
In a courtesy visit at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, CSC commissioner Aileen Lizada proposed the possibility of granting CSC eligibility to national athletes who achieved podium finishes on PSC-recognized international competitions.
“With the success of our national athletes in recent competitions, we wanted to honor their achievements and legacy with plans on issuing special eligibility, which will help them in their future endeavors as Filipino citizens,” said lawyer Lizada.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez said the crafting of terms of this future agreement shall be derived from the existing policies of the Republic Act No. 6847 – the Philippine Sports Commission Act, and Republic Act No. 2260, also known as Civil Service Act of 1959.
“The terms and conditions of the agreement are yet to be determined, but we are positive that with special laws and issuance policies from the CSC, our athletes will be granted eligibility,” concluded Ramirez.
Under the Civil Service Act, Sub-Professional Eligibility qualifies applicants for first level positions such as clerical, trade and custodial service positions which require less than four years of a college education.
On the other hand, Professional Eligibility, qualifies one for first and second level positions such as professional, technical and scientific positions that require four years of college education. (RSC)