THE time that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spent on sports, health and physical fitness in his State of the Nation Address last Monday was music to the ears of Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, who marked his fourth week as the Philippine Sports Commission chairman on the same day.
“The President’s focus on sports in the SONA is a testament to the growing strength of our sports development program and its relevance to national development,” said Gregorio, who was in the gallery when the Chief Executive gave his address at the Batasang Pambansa.
“We in the PSC recognize this responsibility and are wholly committed to strengthening sports from the grassroots—to build up our athletes and nurture a proud and healthy citizenry,” he added.
“With the President’s support, we are certain our athletes will go further, climb higher, and smile wider. Makakaasa po kayong buong puso naming tatanggapin at isasakatuparan ang lahat ng direktiba ng Pangulo,” he said.
Among the competitions that the President mentioned in his address that can expect full government support were the Palarong Pambansa, the school-based sports meet organized by the Department of Education, and the Batang Pinoy National Championships set in General Santos City in October.
“The fact that President BBM mentioned the Batang Pinoy National Championships challenges us to make the meet even better than ever before,” said commissioner Bong Coo, who will be supervising the sportsfest.
“We are scheduled to meet with General Santos City Mayor Lorelei Pacquiao and former Senator Manny Pacquiao in early August to sign the Memorandum of Agreement regarding the hosting of the Games,” she disclosed.
“We are expecting around 20,000 athletes and officials in 27 sports who will compete in the age group competition,” the commissioner said.
In keeping with the President’s pronouncements, the PSC formally opened its track ovals at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, the Philsports Arena Complex in Pasig City and the Teacher’s Camp in Baguio to the public for free beginning yesterday.”Tuloy po Kayo,” the PSC tweeted yesterday afternoon on its official X, formerly account, that all three facilities could now be used by fitness enthusiasts.
“The track and field facilities in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (Malate), Philsports Arena (Pasig) and PSC Baguio (Teacher’s Camp) are now open to the public, free of charge, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily,” it said.
