Pacquiao laments poor PH sports facilities
Published Mar 31, 2018 03:22 pm
By Mario Casayuran
Boxing icon Sen. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao has asked his colleagues in the 24-member Senate to help him strengthen the country’s weak sports program and improve the dilapidated sports facilities at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Senator Manny Pacquiao delivers his privilege speech regarding the death of Kian Delos Santos, during the regular Senate Session on Tuesday.
(JAY GANZON / MANILA BULLETIN) “’How can we expect our athletes to unleash their potentials when their facilities are covered with rust and are broken?’’ Pacquiao asked in a privilege speech just before Congress started on Saturday its three-week Lenten break. One such move, according to Pacquiao, is for the Senate to approve his Senate bill (1515) seeking to strengthen the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) by amending Republic Act 6847, known as the Philippine Sports Commission Act. Another is the construction of a sports complex for amateur sports at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga. One reason for the poor showing of Philippine amateur sports in the international area is poor budget allocation, he said. ‘’Another reason is the poor sports facilities in our country. They are dilapidated and outdated,’’ he pointed out. ‘’Without the proper support from the national government and without the necessary training program, pure talent can only achieve so much. It is high time we amend our existing law…so that it can be more responsive to the growing needs of Philippine sports,’’ he stressed. “Yes, our goal is to bring home that highly elusive gold medal in the Olympics. Yes, it is our aim to cement our flag in the podium for every international sporting tournament,’’ he said. Pacquiao recalled his having trained in boxing at the dilapidated Rizal Memorial Complex in 1980 during which he saw old, used-up training facilities. After a visit to the complex in December, nothing has changed. It is even in a more sorry state. “’We walked from ring to court, from pool to gym, and felt the heat and humidity throughout the different training facilities. We were even able to witness some athletes and coaches train without their shirts due to the heat,’’ he said. “Saan tayo makakita ng world-class divers na sa kutson nagdidive? Saan tayo makakita ng world-class athletes na sira-sirang punching bag sumusuntok (Where can we find world-class divers who dive into a mattress? Where can we find world-class athletes who use dilapidated punching bags)? ’’ he asked. He asked his fellow lawmakers ‘’never to allow the lack of proper maintenance of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex tp continue.’’ Despite these handicaps, Pacquiao said Filipinos have been making a mark in the global arena ‘’because of our unmistakable passion for sports.’’ Built in 1934 and designed by Juan Arellano, the Rizal Complex has been one of the largest and last art deco structures in Asia. A year ago, it has been declared a national historical landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. ‘’Sadly, before it was decided to become one of our country’s treasured infrastructures, it was due for demolition for its unsuitability to serve its purpose,’’ he said. “’This building, full of history and culture, was seriously considered for selling for billions of pesos. Good thing, the negotiations came to a stop,’’ he added.
Senator Manny Pacquiao delivers his privilege speech regarding the death of Kian Delos Santos, during the regular Senate Session on Tuesday.(JAY GANZON / MANILA BULLETIN) “’How can we expect our athletes to unleash their potentials when their facilities are covered with rust and are broken?’’ Pacquiao asked in a privilege speech just before Congress started on Saturday its three-week Lenten break. One such move, according to Pacquiao, is for the Senate to approve his Senate bill (1515) seeking to strengthen the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) by amending Republic Act 6847, known as the Philippine Sports Commission Act. Another is the construction of a sports complex for amateur sports at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga. One reason for the poor showing of Philippine amateur sports in the international area is poor budget allocation, he said. ‘’Another reason is the poor sports facilities in our country. They are dilapidated and outdated,’’ he pointed out. ‘’Without the proper support from the national government and without the necessary training program, pure talent can only achieve so much. It is high time we amend our existing law…so that it can be more responsive to the growing needs of Philippine sports,’’ he stressed. “Yes, our goal is to bring home that highly elusive gold medal in the Olympics. Yes, it is our aim to cement our flag in the podium for every international sporting tournament,’’ he said. Pacquiao recalled his having trained in boxing at the dilapidated Rizal Memorial Complex in 1980 during which he saw old, used-up training facilities. After a visit to the complex in December, nothing has changed. It is even in a more sorry state. “’We walked from ring to court, from pool to gym, and felt the heat and humidity throughout the different training facilities. We were even able to witness some athletes and coaches train without their shirts due to the heat,’’ he said. “Saan tayo makakita ng world-class divers na sa kutson nagdidive? Saan tayo makakita ng world-class athletes na sira-sirang punching bag sumusuntok (Where can we find world-class divers who dive into a mattress? Where can we find world-class athletes who use dilapidated punching bags)? ’’ he asked. He asked his fellow lawmakers ‘’never to allow the lack of proper maintenance of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex tp continue.’’ Despite these handicaps, Pacquiao said Filipinos have been making a mark in the global arena ‘’because of our unmistakable passion for sports.’’ Built in 1934 and designed by Juan Arellano, the Rizal Complex has been one of the largest and last art deco structures in Asia. A year ago, it has been declared a national historical landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. ‘’Sadly, before it was decided to become one of our country’s treasured infrastructures, it was due for demolition for its unsuitability to serve its purpose,’’ he said. “’This building, full of history and culture, was seriously considered for selling for billions of pesos. Good thing, the negotiations came to a stop,’’ he added.