ANGARA PUSHES FOR CREATION OF PHILIPPINE AMATEUR SPORTS TRAINING CENTER

Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for the passage of a bill that seeks to create and establish a state-of-the-art and highly scientific sports complex to be called the Philippine Amateur Sports Training Center to ensure high-level training and total wellness for national athletes.

"While we are requiring our national athletes to excel in competitions and bring honor to the country, they should also be adequately supported. A training center that is furnished with state-of-the-art training equipment, technology, facilities and modern amenities will definitely result to our athlete's better performance in the Olympics and other national and international competitions," said Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports.

The senator said the state of sports development in the country has been neglected for the past years as shown by our dated and rundown sports facilities such as the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, which was built 86 years ago, and the Philsports Arena, which is now 40 years old.

"Primarily, the problem besetting our sports sector is funding, which explains the state of our sports facilities," he added.

The Philippine Sports Commission's (PSC) P750-million annual budget from PAGCOR and the national government pales in comparison to Thailand's equivalent budget of P13 billion, Singapore P6.5 billion, and Indonesia and Malaysia at P4 billion each.

"PSC's budget is only enough to sustain its operations and programs. No amount is allocated for establishing new structures, not even for repairs. In fact, in 2013, the much-needed rehabilitation of the Rizal Memorial amounting to P14 million came from PSC's savings," Angara said.

The lawmaker said that by creating and establishing the Philippine Amateur Sports Training Center, our 800 national athletes and 300 coaches will have a new decent and a much-needed home and venue for elite training that is at par with international standards.

Aside from the training of athletes and coaches, the national sports training institution is also tasked to contribute to sports science and research development.

Under Angara's Senate Bill No. 2371, the ownership, administration, management, operation and maintenance of the center are vested to the PSC.

Two billion pesos will be allocated for its construction and thereafter, P55 million will be appropriated to finance its maintenance, operation and management.

The center will be exempt from payment of all taxes, fees, assessments and other charges of the government.

"This bill taken together with the other measures addressing sports advancement shall provide an integrated grassroots to elite sports development platform intended to provide our athletes a long-term and sustainable state support to perform well in international tournaments and represent our country with pride and honor. This is truly an investment of belief and confidence in Filipino athletes as they carry the torch for our country in international tournaments," Angara said.