Duterte approval needed for PSTC Act

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte just needs to sign the proposed Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC) Act, which was recently approved by the bicameral conference committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, so that construction of the P3.5 billion world class sports facility can start in 2019.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez bared this during a press conference at the PSC Conference Room, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex here yesterday afternoon.

Ramirez, who was joined by PSC Commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Arnold Agustin, Celia Kiram and Charles Raymond A. Maxey, said, "The President only needs to sign it then PSC can start bidding. Maybe we can start the construction middle of 2019 and complete it in 2020. Just like the one in Clark that is expected to be finished within a year, perhaps by September prior to the SEA Games." He was pertaining to the New Clark City Sports Complex that will serve as the premier venue of the 301th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that the the country will host next year.

The PSTC bill was authored by Senator Sonny Angara and backed by Senate sports committee chair Senator Manny Pacquiao and House of Representatives committee on youth and sports development Rep. Conrado Estrella III.

Ramirez said the P3.5 billion will be the initial funding for the PSTC that will seat on a 20-hectare lot in Rosales, Pangasinan.

"Magiging bahagi rin dito ang Governor ng Tarlac si Governor Susan Yap. May ilang sports (facilities) sa Pangasinan at sa Tarlac pero ang main hub is Pangasinan. According to the Act, the PSC will have ownership of the land. First time ito kasi PSC does not own the land nang Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, PhilSports Arena and PSC Training Center in Baguio," the PSC chief said, adding that grassroots sports and elite programs will benefit from this measure.