PSC, La Salle fast-tracking turf rehab

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping said the other day he expects the rehabilitation of the Rizal Memorial pitch to be finished in time for the start of the UAAP football season with La Salle contracting First Worldwide Marketing Corp. to do the job.

In a memorandum of agreement with the PSC, La Salle committed to shoulder the cost of the full rehabilitation and restoration of the turf up to P8 million. The school will also be responsible for the preservation and maintenance of the football field and track oval, amenities and equipment during its use of the facility for varsity practices, tournaments, physical education classes and fitness activities.

La Salle’s use will be limited to three days a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. or six hours on a given day. The use will extend to the College of St. Benilde which is part of the La Salle system.

Additionally, La Salle will set up and manage a Sports Academy for the PSC with athletes and coaches, including retirees, to benefit from an academic curriculum. La Salle will mobilize faculty and staff for the program, initially non-degree. The institution will tap alumni for internship and practicum opportunities for the enrollees.

“The MOA is very fair,” said Angping. “I understand a copy of the MOA was sent to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) by La Salle and there was no objection when it was circulated. The MOA became effective last May 1. The daily maintenance of the field will be under the PSC’s direct control as La Salle is allowed to use it only three days a week. As for the Sports Academy, it will initially offer certificate courses and assist our athletes and coaches get at least a high school diploma. In the long-term, I hope degree courses will be offered.”

La Salle external affairs vice chancellor and the UAAP season president Bro. Bernie Oca explained that there are two components in the Sports Academy curriculum. “The first component is to bring athletes and coaches without high school diplomas to an educational level where they may be able to pass a PEP test and qualify as high school graduates. The second component is to provide training for a livelihood purpose. This will open doors even for retirees to find ways to earn a living beyond sports.”

Bro. Bernie said he saw no problem pushing through with the agreement even as Angping will likely be replaced as chairman by an appointee of President-elect Aquino. The consensus is the agreement is a win-win situation for the involved parties with the athletes and coaches the ultimate beneficiaries.

Bro. Bernie confirmed that a copy of the memorandum was delivered to the POC which had initially questioned the propriety of the agreement. When the POC read through the memorandum, it posed no more objection. POC president Jose Cojuangco, Jr. himself said the memorandum was in order during a radio commentary.

Angping said the rehabilitation of the football field is timely with the resurgence of interest in the sport triggered by the World Cup.

“Everyone is crazy about the World Cup,” said Angping who admitted staying up until the wee hours watching the matches on TV. “Frankly, I’m not really a big football fan but you get caught up with all the excitement. Hopefully, with the renovation of the field, we can push and revive football in the country.”

The signing of the contract with First Worldwide Marketing Corp. was done at the Yuchengco Hall on the La Salle campus last week. Representing the contractor was operations manager Ronald Arevalo.

Angping said the Sports Academy will address a problem that has long plagued athletes and coaches – the lack of a career path beyond sports. “A number of national athletes after retirement from sports find themselves lacking in the education to pursue a different field (outside of sports) to earn a sustainable living,” noted the memorandum. “La Salle has a mission to pursue nation-building through higher education and sees the opportunity to provide this education to national athletes.”

The PSC will provide classrooms for the courses, school supplies and a computer lab with internet connection while La Salle will take charge of the organization, coordination and linkages of activities, undertakings and the necessary preparations for the smooth implementation of the agreement.

The memorandum expires on April 30, 2018 with La Salle gaining the right of first refusal in the event that the PSC will continue the program.

Angping said he has tendered his courtesy resignation for President-elect Aquino to act on and is ready to brief his successor in guaranteeing a smooth transition.

“When I joined the PSC early last year, I was never briefed by Butch (Ramirez),” said Angping. “By the time I took over, Butch was already back in Davao. Once the new chairman is named, I hope to be able to brief him on the programs in progress, what we did during our term. When I came on board, the PSC was living on P30 million a month and we had to make do. When I turn over the PSC to the new chairman, he will be getting P50 million a month after all the savings and income-generating measures we implemented. It’s all about efficiency and professional management. I wanted to leave behind a track record of professionalism in the PSC and I think we were able to achieve it.”

Among the candidates rumored to be under consideration as PSC chairman are Richie Garcia, Joey Romasanta, Popoy Juico, Robert Jaworski, Mark Joseph and Manny Lopez.