Solons seek PSC program on use of performance enhancing drugs
Two lawmakers are seeking the passage of a bill that directs the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to create a program that detects the use of performance-enhancing drugs by national team athletes.
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado filed House Bill 2745 and HB 2196 or "An Act directing the Philippine Sports Commission to establish a program to support research and training methods of detecting the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes and for other purposes."
In his explanatory note on HB 2745, Rodriguez noted that despite the government's effort to penalize athletes found to be taking performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) has proven to be futile because of inability to detect new forms of drugs and who among the athletes are taking PEDs.
The measure according to the Cagayan de Oro 2nd District congressman will enable the government to finally curb effectively the sad practice of athletes using PEDs and restore the image of sports as a source of national pride.
In his explanatory note on HB 2196, Sy-Alvarado cited that innovations for PEDs have made it difficult to identify users and thus the need for a program that creates a process, research and training methods that will identify and screen athletes for possible use of PEDs.
The measure, according to the Bulacan 1st District representative, will restore the image, integrity and honor of Philippine sports.
The said House bill, which will also be known as "Athletic Performance-Enhancing Drugs Research and Detection Act", directs the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to establish and administer a program to support research into the use of PEDs by athletes, and methods of detecting their use.
The said program includes grants of financial assistance, awarded on a competition basis, to support the advancement and improvement of research into the use of PEDs and methods of detection.
The said measures are still pending with the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development.
Meanwhile, the PSC has already organized a high quality anti-doping program.
According to Marc Velasco, the Philippine Sports Institute national training director, the government sports agency is working together with the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHINADO) to prevent national athletes from using PEDs.
Velasco, who is also the chief of staff of PSC Chairman William Ramirez, added that the PHINADO is following the world anti-doping code set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
PHI-NADO is an independent body organized by the PSC and it is currently headed by Dr. Alejandro Pineda. (Melvin Sarangay)