By Waylon Galvez
The Alabang Country Club and Club 515 are facing sanctions for breaching health and safety protocols after holding tournaments last August.
The tripartite government agencies of Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Health (DoH), which formed the guideline for the Joint Administrative Order, have already forwarded a recommendation to the Inter-Agency Task Force.
GAB Chairman Baham Mitra said the government task force will be the one that will determine if the ACC and Club 515 will be sanctioned or not.
“Our group has forwarded it to the IATF already and the National Task Force was already given instructions to implement the decision. I am not at liberty to disclose it,” said Mitra.
According to reports, the JAO found out the Alabang Country Club hosted an intra-club tournament organized by Club 515 last Aug. 28 and 29, at a time when Metro Manila was still under GCQ.
Under the General Guidelines No. 3 of the JAO No. 2020-0001, non-professional sporting events such as tournaments, competitive events and athletic meets shall not be permitted on certain quarantine levels.
The JAO also gathered information that participants in the 14th PEMCOR Cup, hosted by Club 515 at Alabang Country Club, did not wear facemasks during the said tournament.
“The JAO group has finished its investigation and has submitted its findings to the IATF through the DOH. We hope that those found to have violated the guidelines be sanctioned,’’ said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.
Just recently, Sherwood Golf and Country Club in Trece Martires City was forced to close following orders from Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla due to a tournament it held.
“At this time of pandemic we are governed by rules that are made to make us all safe. We urge everyone to abide by it,” said Mitra.
“The joint administrative order of the GAB, PSC and DOH is the document that governs the conduct of sporting activities and we plead to everyone to follow it,” Mitra said, adding that they are open to discussion with Alabang Country Club and Club 515.
