MANILA – The allowance of athletes reduced to fifty percent due to coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic will just be temporary, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) said.
PSC chairman William Ramirez made the assurance during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum virtual press conference last week.
“Kung sa policy at sa batas demandable nila ‘yan, ibibigay po namin ‘yan,” said Ramirez. Kung nale-late ‘yung pagawa ng requirements, talagang i-rereimburse namin ‘yun.”
He admitted that it was hard for the PSC to come up with a decision to cut the allowances of the athletes as funds would not be available until the end of the year if players continue to receive theirs in full amount.
“It breaks our hearts,” Ramirez said. “It took us three or four meetings to discuss the reductions in equity.”
“From a very exciting and successful SEA Games, ibababa mo ‘yung allowance. Mabigat pero tinitignan namin ang aming balance as of May. Hindi kami aabot sa December kapag normal na allowance ang ibibigay. Magne-negative kami,” he added.
Ramirez stressed that the allowances of the athletes come from the National Sports Development Fund, five percent of which sourcing from the gross sales of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“Kapag bumalik ‘yan (normal remittance from PAGCOR), we are committed. That money sa Republic Act 6847, para talaga sa mga atleta ‘yan. Hindi namin puwedeng hindi gastusin ‘yan,” he added./PN
