The wait is over for national athletes and coaches.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has sent two of the three batches of booklets for the availment of the 20% discount to national athletes and coaches pursuant to Republic Act 10699 or the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act 10699).”
“We are doing our best to deliver everything within this month even though there are lockdowns due to the pandemic and the limited workforce. We are doing our best to comply with it as much as possible this 3rd week of September we should have sent the last batch,” explained Manuel Bitog, Chief of Assistance and Coordination Division and head of the PSC frontline personnel.
PSC immediately went to work to produce Identification Cards (PNSTM ID) and accompanying booklets for all qualified national team members. The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Revenue Resolution 13, series of 2020, prescribes the implementation and regulations of R.A. 10699 on discount privileges. Luzon-wide lockdown delayed the initial distribution efforts to national athletes and coaches.
“Karamihan kasi ng mga inilagay ng atleta ay addresses nila nung nandito pa sila sa RMSC (Rizal Memorial Sports Complex) dormitory at saka sa Philsports dormitory. That’s why kinailangan naming kunin ‘yung updated addresses nila,” said Bitog who is currently stationed in RMSC along with the sports arm’s skeleton force.
The PSC sent off all the national athletes and coaches under its care earlier this year back to their respective hometowns and provinces to ensure their safety against the threat of COVID-19.
“We have been remedying it through coordinating with the different concerned NSAs (National Sports Associations) to contact athletes regarding their addresses and if their areas are serviceable to the courier. Sa ngayon may 300 na lang na natitira as the last batch dahil hinihintay namin iforward sa amin ang addresses nila,” said Bitog.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez, who is on top of these efforts, believes in the positive implication of this progress to the national athletes and coaches, most especially in this time of pandemic.
“We have always been supportive of our athletes and coaches and we hope this privilege help in easing their burdens caused by COVID-19,” said the sports Chief who has been staying in Philsports, Pasig City to closely monitor the operarions of the agency.
Among the national athletes who have received their ID booklets are 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships gold medalist Nesthy Petecio and Olympian Marathoner Mary Joy Tabal who have expressed their gratitude via their facebook posts.
“Thank you PSC! Unexpected delivery! May 20% discount na ako nito,” shared Petecio. Tabal posted “National Athlete privilege, excited to avail this! Thank you Philippine Sports Commission for making this possible. “
Under the law, over a thousand members of the national training pool are to benefit from the 20% discount on transportation, hotels and restaurants, medicine purchases and leisure activities offered by business establishments all over the country.
