PSC terminates 18 consultants’ services

The Philippine Sports Commission under new chairman Eric Buhain last night decided to terminate the services of the 18 consultants being paid a total of P800,000 a month and also decided not to renew the contracts of the janitorial and security agencies covering the PSC for a staggering P4 million a month.

Buhain, sworn into office by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo four days ago, and commissioners Cynthia Carrion, Butch Ramirez, Ritchie Garcia and Weena Lim came up with the decision after a lengthy board meeting that was adjourned Wednesday evening and resumed yesterday afternoon.

It was not clear, however, whether the consultants will simply be replaced or its number cut down. Regarding the janitorial and security services (with a workforce of 130 each) at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the Philsports Complex and the training camp in Baguio City, Buhain had said that the PSC, being a government agency, would call for a new bidding.

"Any janitorial or security agency can join the bidding. And we will also look at their backgrounds because if their janitors or security (personnel) are not doing their jobs well, then they have a problem. Maybe we can also cut the number to half," said Buhain, who has vowed to squeeze the best out of every peso being spent by the PSC.

"We have to look at the smallest peso we are spending," said Buhain, who is also set to review the contracts of the different regional coordinators under the PSC. — A. Cordero