Solon pushes for creation of Department of Sports

MANILA, Philippines — An administration lawmaker whose advocacy is into sports has filed a House bill that proposes the creation of a Department of Sports that will provide leadership in the promotion and development of sports in the country.

House Bill 287 of Rep. Michael “Mikee” Romero of party-list 1Pacman wants such agency to “lead the implementation of policies on the promotion and development of sports and health fitness programs in the country.”

“It is high time for the government to prioritize sports in the national agenda, and consider sports as an integral factor in nation-building,” he said, hoping that such office will set the parameters to address the needs of our athletes, coaches, trainers and sports officials.

The measure also wants the proposed department to be responsible for promulgating policies that will help the country improve its performance in international competitions, find solutions to the problems besetting Philippine sports including the lack of a comprehensive national sports program, the need to enhance the partnership with various sectors involved in sports, obsolete training methods, lack of modern and high equality training facilities, equipment and the sport venues.

Romero lamented what he observed as the seeming deterioration of Philippine sports as shown by its lackluster performance in recent international competitions.

“There was a time when our athletes are considered serious contenders in any sporting event we participate, unfortunately, those times had passed,” he pointed out.

Romero recalled that since Mansueto Velasco won a silver medal in boxing during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the Philippines has not won a single medal in the succeeding editions of the Summer Olympics.

“When our country won its first ever overall championship in the Southeast Asian Games during the 2005 edition held in Manila, Philippine sports seemed to have reached its threshold and unfortunately, the experiences and the lessons learned in earning that victory were not sustained,” he said.