Finally, a DOS to rise?

It appears that the Duterte administration will have a strong leaning towards sports, particularly since many of the newly elected senators and congressmen are either former athletes or sportsmen. One of the common items on their agenda is a review and, most likely, a change of system in how the government runs its amateur sports programs. There seems to be a growing consensus that the current situation, a duopoly between the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is an anomaly, and for good reason. Other country in the world has a national sports program divided between the private and public sectors. Some countries run their sports through the government, the rest through the private sector, but never both.

Having said that, a long-time plan, which was unsuccessfully pushed by previous legislators, was the elevation of the PSC to a full-fledged Department of Sports. This would give the agency its own consistent budget, more clout in getting partnerships with other governments and multinational sponsors, and provide a wider infrastructure for a more impactful sports development program. Currently, the PSC chairman carries the rank of an undersecretary, and thus has limited powers. Each year, the budget of the agency fluctuates, and long-term programs are almost never accomplished as the PSC board is co-terminus with the appointing power – the sitting president but many times, they are replaced within two to three years in favor of a bigger political heavyweight. This is why sports development in the country cannot take off. This year, for example, the PSC board that prepared our athletes for the Olympic Games will not be the same board that will accompany them to the quadrennial competition, for the simple reason that they will all be replaced by appointees more palatable to the incoming administration.

Previously, former PSC commissioner, congressman and Bacolod mayor Monico Puentevella tried to push for a Department of Sports Law in the Lower House. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV likewise began spadework on consolidating 11 pieces of pending legislation into one pertinent law. Incoming 1- Pacman congressman Mikee Romero believes it is time for a Department of Sports, and it appears many of the newly minted senators and congressmen are thinking along similar lines. Half of the new incoming senators are involved in sports and health. New congressmen like Romero and Iligan’s Freddie Siao also have an abiding interest in sports promotion. Each has seen its value in their respective bailiwicks. So the direction looks set.

There are, however, several questions about what a Department of Sports would do in the first place. Would it encompass all aspects of sports development from the grassroots level all the way up elite competition athlete training and development? What would be its measures of success? Would a Department of Sports take over the function of the Bureau of Physical Education and School Sports (BPESS) under the Department of Education, for instance? Would it be the sole governing body of sports programs involving other government agencies like the Armed Forces of the Philippines?

If Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach and former congressman Yeng Guiao had his way, government agencies like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) would remit the billions of pesos (estimates range from P12 billion to 16 billion) in shortfall from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) remitted to the PSC every month since the law was passed in the early 1990’s. In the mid-1990’s, the Department of Justice had already issued an opinion on the matter, saying that Pagcor was erroneously deducting half of its revenues for the national treasury first before computing the five percent due to the PSC. This has resulted in a monthly shortfall estimated between P40 million to P50 million. That accumulated amount would help with the construction of a new national sports complex, and our national teams could finally move out of the Commonwealth-era Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Given the direction towards decentralization of the government, it is probable that the new Department of Sports would even be situated outside of Metro Manila. Having our athletes train in a remote setting has been proven to raise their performance, as there will be fewer distractions, less pollution, and better nutrition in a rural environment. Also, a Department of Sports would have more resources to evaluate more athletes, and pinpoint which ones would have a real chance of bringing glory to the country in international competition. Also, a Department of Sports will also be a great resource in times of calamity, as proven by local governments who teach the youth how to swim and volunteer as rescuers during floods. If we were to use the example of the Cebu City Sports Commission, all those trained by the Department of Sports for free would be required to allocate some of their time to passing on their knowledge to the youth, thus assuring the continuity of their sports expertise, and preparing the next generation of national athletes.

There are, however, some other things that need to happen first. This writer recommends a joint task force between the Department of Health, Department of Education and the current Philippine Sports Commission to assess the overall health of the youth of the country. In a three-pronged approach, a traveling team could evaluate children aged 4 to 16, teach them the fundamentals of selected sports, and identify kids who have the potential to become national athletes. Those children will then become an inspiration to their peers, encouraging even more youth to become active in sports. Armed with the data, the government can then plan how best to raise the health and fitness of the country, thus increasing productivity and saving trillions of pesos in health care and insurance claims.