The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will donate a total of 15 million worth of sports and athletics equipment to Puerto Princesa City as a host for the Batang Pinoy National Finals 2019.
PSC chairman William Ramirez said during the press conference Sunday that the equipment is intended for the sports development of the city as well as the whole province of Palawan.
Ramirez said all potential athletes will also be encouraged to develop their skills through the new equipment that will come from almost 31 events of Batang Pinoy.
“As the host of Batang Pinoy, the athletes can be encouraged, motivated, and if we are gone ay lalo pa rin lalakas ang sports dito dahil mag-iiwan kami ng new equipment dito amounting to P15 million kung saan iiwanan naming ‘yan sa Puerto Princesa City for sports development,” he said.
Aside from this, a total of P10 million will also be distributed to the top six local government units (LGUs).
P3 million will be given to the overall champion local government unit, P2.5 for the second, P2 million for third place, P1.5 for the fourth, and P1million for the fifth.
Ramirez added that the cash incentives can only be used for sport development activities.
He said this is the government’s way to encourage other LGUs to strive more in the field of sports.
“Ang agreement d’yan sa pera ay this will only be used for sports development. There are a lot of questions about cash incentives, we are not a rich country, we have a lot of problems. We are very certain that sports is a vital component for nation building against drugs and others. By giving incentives, other LGUs will also try to do their best,” he said.
According to Ramirez, Batang Pinoy is not only aiming for sports excellence but also for value formation.
This event will also becamo historical for almost 6,000 youths as they will not forget the City of Puerto Princesa.
“The impact of the batang pinoy is enormous, why? Thousand of children will know Palawan, out of the delagates we have almost 50 percent are parents, tourism will improve. Lastly, great stories of Puerto Princesa will be brought to all cities, children, and that stories will be repeated for many times in their life. This event is only only about sports excellence, it is about how the sports being a source of value and friendship formation. ‘Yon naman talaga ang mithiin ng sports,” Ramirez said.
