One on One with Commissioner Jolly Gomez

ISA sa lumabas sa bigong kampanya ng bansa sa 26th Southeast Asian Games ay ang katotohanang napag-iwanan na ang Pilipinas ng ibang bansa sa rehiyon sa larangan ng sports. Kaya naman pursigido ang Philippine Sports Commission, partikular na si Commissioner Atty. Jose Luis “Jolly” Gomez, na paigtingin ang grassroots program nito at makadiskubre ng mga bagong talento. Nakausap ni Bandera correspondent Eric Dimzon si Gomez at narito ang kanyang sinabi

Ano ang ginagawa ng PSC upang makatuklas ng mga bagong atleta?
When the new set of PSC commissioners came in, we noticed that our national athletes were overaged. Most of them were over 25 years old. Compunding the problem was the previous conflict between the POC and PSC that prevented a grassroots program from being implemented.

So, our main source of athletes was the UAAP. But the UAAP only provided athletes that are from Metro Manila. Schools from the UAAP, after all, are all Metro Manila-based. Provincial athletes are not properly represented. So limited talaga ‘yung pool of athletes. That is why we came up with Batang Pinoy.

Ano ang Batang Pinoy at paano ito naiiba sa nauna nang grassroots programs?
Batang Pinoy is a sporting event that involves athletes all over the country aged 13-15. It is LGU-based. Meaning, provincial sports administrators help out with the event and program.

Dati kasi, sports programs were one shot deals. Clinics were conducted for various sports. Pero after the clinics, wala na. Walang tournaments to put to good use kung ano man ‘yung natutunan sa mga clinics. With Batang Pinoy, regional tournaments are conducted all throughout the country.

Winners in Batang Pinoy have the chance to compete in the Philippine National Games where they can be included in the national training pool or national teams if they perform well. Out-of-school youths are also given the chance to participate in Batang Pinoy which gives these kids a chance for a better life through sports.

May pondo na ba ang PSC para dito?
While the PSC has a budget of P700 million a year, most of it goes to administrative costs and maintenance of facilities. As a result, konti na lang ang para sa athletes. Halos wala na ring natitira para sa grassroots program ng PSC.

Ano sa tingin mo ang kailangan para umunlad ang sports sa bansa?
PSC, LGUs, NSAs and the private sector must work together to improve sports in the country. The PSC must be graft-free and transparent for the private sector to come in as sponsors. Sponsorships will pour in once the private sector knows that the money it gives will be spent wisely on the athletes.

Ano ang magiging batayan mo para masabi mong tagumpay ang iyong panunungkulan sa PSC?
My succcess as a commissioner of PSC goes beyond the medals won. If I see more Filipinos get into sports, masa-sabi ko nang nagawa ko na ang aking tungkulin. Statistics show that only 22% of Filipinos do some form of exercise or sport. If I see sports and exercise become a way of life for most Filipinos, then I can say that I have done well.