PSC launches national programs today

The Philippine Sports Commission will unveil today the 2003 PSC National Programs, Projects and Activities before local government and private sector representatives and officials of various government agencies at the Grand Boulevard Hotel.

Unhampered by the recent budget cut, the PSC will make technical presentations on national programs, such as the 5th Philippine National Youth Games, Batang Pinoy, Palarong Pambansa, First Luzon Games, First Visayas Games, Third Mindanao Friendship Games, and First Philippine National Championships to be led by PSC Chairman Eric Buhain starting at 9:00 a.m.

"All areas of sports development will be tackled here and we will push through with our projects despite some setbacks brought about by the slash from our budget for grassroots development,"Buhain said.

"There is a need to immediately convene a national-level technical presentation of the PSC’s 2003 programs to enlist the support of stakeholders, particularly the local government units," added Buhain. "This is to give ample time for them to incorporate the national programs to their respective calendar of sports activities."

Also to be presented in today’s event is the Strategic Plan for Philippine Sports, wherein the PSC hopes to place Philippine sports in the mainstream of economic development planning and institutionalize the implementation of sound programs and interventions.

Various projects such as the Alay Suporta sa Atletang Pilipino (ASAP) - a fund-raising project that would tap resources from the private sector for the top 60 priority athletes who are potential gold winners in the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam - shall likewise be presented during the launch.

And to highlight the event, all stakeholders who have given their support to the PSC in 2002, shall be granted plaques of appreciation and recognition for their efforts in the development of local sports.

"We are reinforcing our partnership with the various sectors which are helping us out in implementing President Arroyo’s thrust for a strong republic through sports and physical fitness," Buhain said.

Also to be outlined during the assembly is the cooperation between the PSC and the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Commission on Higher Education, and Philippine Olympic Committee-National Sports Associations.

The presentation shall be composed of three major parts. The first contains a summarized one-year report of the PSC on its 2002 programs and activities. The second will tackle prospects and plans of actions of the government sports agency for 2003, while the last part involves the formal presentation of the PSC marketing strategic component.