LAND DONATION. Sports officials and local government leaders of Bataan pose for photo opportunity after the ceremonial signing and turnover of the deed of donation for the land donated by Bataan for the site of the Philippine Sports Training Center at The Orient Bataan in Mariveles, Bataan on Tuesday (May 18, 2021). Senator Christopher “Bong” Go (seated 3rd from right) joined the Philippine Sports Commission officials led by chairman William Ramirez (2nd from left) and Bataan Governor Albert Garcia (4th from left). (Photo courtesy of PSC)
MANILA – The training ground for future national athletes is soon to be built in Bataan.
As some sort of a birthday gift on Tuesday, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez received a deed of donation from no less than Bataan Governor Albert Raymond “Abet” Garcia for the site of the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC).
“I am so happy and excited about this newly forged partnership with the Provincial Government of Bataan. This will give our national athletes a new home as they continue to bring pride and honor to our country,” Ramirez said during the ceremonial signing and turnover rites at The Orient Bataan in Mariveles, Bataan.
In particular, the Bataan provincial government donated 250,000 square meters of land in Bagac for the PSTC.
The state-of-the-art sports hub 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.
A PHP3.5 billion budget has been set for the construction of the facility.
The PSTC is scheduled to be completed by 2025.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Philippine Sports Commission at sa lahat po ng nagtulong-tulong. Isa po itong magandang project para lalong gumaling ang ating mga atletang Pilipino (We would like to thank the Philippine Sports Commission and everyone who helped. This is a good project so that our Filipino athletes will become even better),” Garcia said.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, was also present and assured his support for PSTC.
“Kapag nagtutulungan po ang ating mga atleta at ang ating gobyerno ay malayo po ang ating mararating. Rest assured na suportado po namin itong (If the athletes and the government help each other, we can go further. Rest assured that we will support this) PSTC,” Go said.
Ramirez said after many months of weighing options and offers, the PSC accepted the offer of Bataan given the strategic location of the venue and its significance if the country's history where the heroic "laying down of lives" for flag and country of simple citizens mirror the sacrifice that athletes go through in their journey towards their goals.
Republic Act 11214, the law which created PSTC seeks “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,” was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last February 2019.
Ramirez was joined by PSC Commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Arnold Agustin, Celia Kiram, and PSI National Training Director Marc Velasco.
Meanwhile, Garcia was joined by 2nd District of Bataan Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III, Municipal Mayor Maria Angela Garcia and Emmanuel Pineda. (PNA)
