Pacquiao assures PSC of bigger budget for 2019

SENATOR Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao promised to push for additional budget allocation for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in 2019.

He committed this after a brief inspection at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila Tuesday.

Pacquiao, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports told sportswriters at the RMSC during the launch of the nationwide grassroots program billed as the “PSCPacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup.”

Also present were PSC Chair William “Butch” Ramirez and his three Commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Celia Kiram and Charles Maxey.

The PSC has a current budget of P235 million in 2017 and will have P244 million in 2018.

Pacquiao said that he would move to gather support for additional budget to bolster funds of the PSC for rehabilitation and construction of facilities.

“I went around the complex, there really are a lot of things to be done. Madami na talagang dapat ayusin (There are many things that need repair),” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao, who is an eight-division professional world boxing champion, visited the PSC Sports Museum where he donated two signed posters and other memorabilia.

“The PSC’s sports museum is nice but it should be in a more prominent place,” he said.

The PSC will start the total rehabilitation of the RMSC next year.

Pacquiao said that he would still continue the program with PSC even if Ramirez ends his six-year term as PSC Chairman. PNA