Sponsorship Speech of Sen. Pacquiao on The Philippine Amateur Sports Training Act

MR. PRESIDENT, our world-class athletes have been giving their best to shine in the global platform.

With discipline, determination, and dedication, They achieve their goals regardless of the circumstances. With resilience, they maximize the opportunities. They shine despite the setbacks and limitations.

However, our committed athletes Have yet to show their fullest potentials. They have yet to unleash their maximum capabilities. They have yet to become the ultimate version of themselves.

The philippine government has so much to give In exchange of their relentless efforts. For one, we can provide a training center where they can develop their skills and their abilities.

We envision this training center to be a state-of-the-art and highly scientific sports complex. It will include facilities and amenities Composed of different equipment and courts necessary for bringing out the best in our athletes.

Research states that "a viable environment and Standard sports facilities" have a positive effect On the development of the performance Of athletes and promotion of sports.

It is undeniable that the RIZAL MEMORIAL SPORTS COMPLEX and the PHILSPORTS ARENA are completely out of date. When I did an ocular inspection of the Philippine Sports Commission compound, I have seen for myself the sad condition of the facility. IT IS DISORGANIZED. IT IS DILAPIDATED.

MR. PRESIDENT, OUR ATHLETES DESERVE BETTER. They deserve our best efforts.

Our Constitution states that "the state shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur Sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry."

WITH THIS, I FILED SENATE BILL 1517, THE PHILIPPINE AMATEUR SPORTS TRAINING CENTER ACT, ALONGSIDE WITH SENATOR SONNY ANGARA'S SENATE BILL 316 AND SENATOR BAM AQUINO'S SENATE BILL 675, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION HOUSE BILL 5615.

AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON SPORTS, I HAVE THE HONOR TO RESPECTFULLY DESIGNATE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PRESENTING SENATE BILL 1716 UNDER COMMITTEE REPORT 254 TO THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPORTS AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, SENATOR SONNY ANGARA.

We believe that it is high time That our athletes be given the state-of-the-art facilities Needed for the nourishment of their talents. Now is the best opportunity for us To give the best support to our athletes.

With this, our country's dream Of obtaining the dominance in the South East Asian Games and bagging the gold medals in the Olympics would be a great leap closer to possibility. And in the process of doing so, we build our athletes' competence and character.

MR. PRESIDENT, I would like to thank the efforts of SENATOR ANGARA, AND SENATOR AQUINO,

as well as the support of our fellow senators in helping our athletes achieve their dreams, Our dreams, through the passage of this bill.

Daghang salamat, MR. PRESIDENT.