BY WAYLON GALVEZ
Here’s another piece of bad news for Filipino sports fans.
Getting orders from the Malacanang, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is canceling all sports activities this year and will instead focus its budget on various outstanding commitments as the country continues to combat the spread of coronavirus.
In a virtual meeting Wednesday, the PSC, chaired by Butch Ramirez, decided to forego all local events and one international competition to ensure that it can keep its commitment, including its to support to members of the national teams.
Both the Department of Budget Management and the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases prohibited activities, even beyond the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
The sports agency announced that all activities are cancelled until December of this year in compliance with the directives.
“We heed the call of the national government,” said Ramirez. “To cut expenses as we reroute majority of our resources to fighting the pandemic, but we also stand by our commitment to keep supporting members of the national teams.”
Ramirez also emphasized that athletes as well as coaches of the various national teams will to continue to receive their allowances.
The PSC, however, understands that in the next few months the financial aid it is getting from Pagcor will no longer be the same, knowing full well that the gaming agency is also helping various government agencies in their efforts to flatten the curve.
Pagcor’s income has also been affected by the lockdown.
Ramirez said they are looking at other options.
“We continue to study projections and proposals and the board is ready to take necessary actions should they be needed,” he said.
Affected sports events organized by the government sports agency include the Philippine National Games (PNG), Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa, which is jointly organized with the Department of Education.
The board also decided to finally withdraw further financial support to the postponed 10th ASEAN Paragames.
The sports agency shall, however, honor its previous commitments with the APG organizing committee to cover initial operations expenses.
