BY WAYLON GALVEZ
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An official of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Thursday called on various national sports associations (NSAs) to update its list of national team members so they can facilitate their allowances.
Marc Velasco, the PSC national training director, said they have received reports of athletes asking about their training allowances for this month after the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has been extended to April 30 as part of the government’s all-out fight to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
“May iba kasing na nagtatanong kung may sweldo pa ba sila, pero pinapa-revert namin sa NSA nila. They should ask kung inayos na ba ng NSA,” said Velasco.
“May iba kasi for review ng (PSC) board, dahil hindi rin klaro sa lineup from the NSA. Kasi as NSA, they have the exclusive power based sa law na baguhin yung list nila ng national team,” he added.
Last month, PSC chairman Butch Ramirez made a promise that they will continue provide the essentials needed by the athletes as well as the coaches and employees of the government sports agency.
“These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary commitment and service from all of us,” said Ramirez.
The agency has at least 800 national team athletes under its care. These athletes are categorized in three levels and receive different training allowances.
Those in the Class A category are the likes of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, EJ Obiena of athletics, Caloy Yulo of gymnastics, and boxers Eumir Marcial and Nesty Petecio get a monthly allowance of P40,000.
Categorized in Class B should receive between P25,000 to P30,000 while athletes in Class C pocket at least P10,000 to P12,000.
“Actually these are not salaries, these are training allowances as members of the national team. These are categorized based on the list na bini-bigay ng mga NSAs sa PSC,” said Velasco.
