By Alexandria Dennise San Juan
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) said it would support a lawmaker's proposal to automatically grant civil service eligibility to Filipino athletes winning international sporting events such as the ongoing 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Philippine's supporters greet Jedah Mae Soriano after defeating Myanmar's Maw Maw Oo during their women's feather weight +50kg-55kg padded stick competition final arnis match at the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Clark City, Tarlac on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Soriano won gold. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana / MANILA BULLETIN)
"We support the move these athletes, they bring international recognition and honor to our country," CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada told reporters.
This was after Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao discussed with Lizada his proposal on giving automatic civil service eligibility to Filipino athletes and their coaches who have won international sports competition.
According to Lizada, she already relayed the lawmaker's suggestion to CSC chairperson Alicia Del Rosa-Bala, and Commisioner Roberto Valderosa Jr., who also welcomed and extended their support to the proposed bill.
Lizada lauded the bill noting that it would "look after and take care" of our athletes who can also share their skills and knowledge to government sports offices to hone young trainees.
"The bill is good because it allows government to look after and take care of our own athletes because once you grant them eligibility, they can serve to sports offices of local government units or even to the Philippine Sports Commission and they can help our future athletes or those who are still training. They can impart their skills, their knowledge and share their experiences to our trainees," she pointed out.
Under Siao's proposal, athletes would be formally recognized as licensed sports professionals which the lawmaker said would "benefit many athletes who labor in the thousands of gyms and fitness centers scattered all over the country."
The commissioner also assured lawmakers that the agency is willing to assist in crafting the bill, which she said is a way of "boosting the morale of all our athletes."
"It is high time that we give due recognition to our athletes as they give back due recognition and honor to our country," the lawyer added.