RECEIVING the deed of donation for the land where the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC) would be constructed on May 18 was "one of the best birthday gifts" that Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez has ever received.
He's elated by the newly-forged partnership with the Provincial Government of Bataan.
"This will give our national athletes a new home as they continue to bring honor to the country,” the PSC chief, who celebrated his 71st birthday, said.
The Provincial Government of Bataan donated six lots to the PSC with a land area of more or less 250,000 square meters situated in the Municipality of Bagac, Province of Bataan.
One of the deed of donation provisions states that the infrastructure shall be constructed and completed by December 31, 2025, subject to extension upon agreement by the parties.
A whopping P3.5 billion has been appropriated by the law for the construction of infrastructure and shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The PSTC, which was created through Republic Act 11214 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2019, aims to promote and develop sports in the country, to achieve excellence in international sports competitions, to ensure success in the country's quest to achieve competitiveness in the Olympic Games and to promote international amity among nations.
The lot donation for the PSTC is indeed a very welcome development as it will house modern sports facilities for 39 Olympic and non-Olympic sports. With the lot now secured, we all look forward to see the start of its construction works.
Congratulations, PSC, for this milestone!
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Here's to greeting Sir Butch a belated happy birthday!
He is Sir Butch to many of us even if his title or position changed over the decades we have known him.
The title is not what's important to him but the work and the role that he wants to do and accomplish for the people closest to his heart -- the athletes and coaches; students and educators; and the underprivileged children and fellow Filipinos in the marginalized sectors.
May God give you more years to celebrate and more lives to touch, Sir Butch!