OFFICIALS and athletes representing 52 national sports associations (NSAs) attended the dialogue set by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) yesterday, to discuss budget allocations for each association, as well as changes in the allowance policy for athletes and coaches.
Speaking on behalf of the PSC board, Commissioner Celia Kiram said that “the board is listening. While we deemed the changes reasonable we also know that we need to get the input of the other side.”
PSC Acting Deputy Executive Director for COSECSS, Rachel Dumuk also explained that the changes that made were studied, adding that in the research they did found that our rates were at par, and at times, even higher than the rates set by Malaysia. “The rates set by the board were actually generous. We have to keep in mind that we are working on a limited budget which has to be spread out to 54 NSAs and over 1,000 athletes and coaches.”
There will no longer be a priority athletes program. The highest classification will now be “platinum” covering Olympic and World medalists. This classification is the elite of the elite with only eight national athletes qualifying, headed by Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz. They will receive P45,000 per month for one Olympic cycle.
There are five other classifications after this, namely the Class A athletes (World silver & bronze and Asian gold medalists, Class B (Asian silver & bronze and SEAG gold medalists), Class C (SEAG silver & bronze and SEA Championship and Cup medalists), training pool B (former medalists), and training pool A (new athletes, non-medalists).
Kiram also briefed the media about preparations for the Batang Pinoy Mindanao Leg in Oroquieta which, after two cancellations last year, will finally push through this month from March 6 to 12. “The Batang Pinoy is their first big sporting event, so Oroquieta is very excited to welcome us there.”
