PSC celebrates PSTC law
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure establishing a national sports training facility that will be known as the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC).
The center is created through Republic Act (RA) 11214, which Duterte signed on February 14, in an effort to boost the country's competitiveness in international sports competitions.
“It’s a happy moment for Philippine sports,” shared Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez following the signing of Republic Act 11214.
The law establishing a state-of-the-art sports training facility in the country was signed by the president “to promote and develop sports in the country, to achieve excellence in international sports competitions, to ensure success in the country's quest to achieve competitiveness in the Olympic Games and to promote international amity among nations."
“We at the PSC are extremely grateful to the President for making this historic development in Philippine sports happen” said Ramirez. The law has been a work in progress for the past two years with the PSC head hoping that "this facility can become a reality to be able to provide our athletes more fighting chance in their competitions with an upgraded training facility."
The 20-hectare sports hub that will rise in Rosales, Pangasinan in 2022 will feature numerous facilities for administrative, sports science, medical and dormitories for athletes and coaches; with sports amenities for 39 Olympic and non-Olympic sports.
The amount of P3.5 billion is appropriated by the law for the construction of infrastructure and shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The amount necessary to carry out the other provisions of the Act, particularly for the maintenance, operation, and management of the PSTC shall be also be included in the GAA, under the budget of the PSC.
“We will be handson in overseeing the operation and construction of the PSTC,” affirmed Ramirez.
The ceremonial signing of the said RA was held Wednesday at the Malacañan Palace with Ramirez and other PSC officials in attendance.