By Hannah Torregoza Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday expressed belief that the New Clark City Sports Complex will not go to waste after the country concludes its staging of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture said there is already bill pending approval at the Senate that seeks to establish a national high school that would be fully dedicated to Philippine sports. The senator said the bill particularly seeks to utilize these facilities for the use of these promising student athletes. “These SEA Games facilities complement our proposed high school and facilities for young and promising athletes," said Gatchalian, co-author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1086 or the Philippine High School for Sports Act of 2019. "Hindi ito masasayang dahil pakikinabangan ito ng ating mga manlalaro (It won't go to waste because our other players will be able to use this)," he added. The measure primarily seeks the creation of Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) that will develop athletic skills through physical education and sports development subjects. With the proposed school, the lawmaker said promising students will receive quality secondary education while preparing for a sports-related career. The bill also seeks to create world-class sports facilities and amenities in New Clark City. Because aside from the PHSS, the facilities in the sports stadium will also provide the space for training Filipino athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Also under the proposed law, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) will be in charge of providing land and construction of classrooms, dormitories, sports facilities, and other related amenities. According to Gatchalian, the construction of the New Clark City is another step to giving Filipino athletes the financial, infrastructural, and policy support that athletes need for a stellar performance in the international stage. “Sports have a fundamental role in bringing national pride and unity, especially when Filipino athletes win in international competitions," he said. " But for our athletes to reach a level of excellence, we need to put support mechanisms in place such as accessible, world-class training facilities,” he stressed. He pointed out that athletes don’t become world-class performers overnight, citing the experience of fellow senator and world boxing icon Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao. "Through this high school for sports and the sports hub that will be available for its students, potential athletes will receive government and community support at the earliest possible stage,” Gatchalian emphasized. In order to reach the level of excellence Pacquiao exemplified in the sports community, he said lawmakers need to put mechanisms and fundamentals in place. " Hindi naman automatic na ipinanganak iyan na maging Manny Pacquiao. Hindi naman ho automatic naging Manny Pacquiao si Manny Pacquiao (Manny Pacquiao was not automatically born an athlete. He was not automatically Manny Pacquiao)," he stressed. "He had to undergo rigid training, he had to get enough support from government as well as from the sports community and he had to endure a lot of hardships in order to reach that level," Gatchalian reiterated. “And we really hope that we have more Manny Pacquiaos out there because whenever Manny Pacquiao enters into the arena, he does not only bring the name of Manny Pacquiao, but he brings the national flag with him and iyon po iyong nakikita ng buong mundo," he said. Some senators have earlier questioned the propriety of the creation of a multi-billion sports stadium at the New Clark City which could be left unused after the country finishes hosting the SEA Games. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, for his part, questioned the construction of the P50-million cauldron that would be used for the opening of the games, believing it was too extravagant.