Palace backs PSC move to save old Rizal

MANILA, Philippines -  With the backing of Malacañang, the Philippine Sports Commission said it is shelving negotiations for the sale of Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and instead intends to preserve and rehabilitate the Manila City-owned facility for the welfare of athletes.

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez said the government sports body came up with its decision after consulting with various groups like the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Heritage Conservation Society-International Council for Monuments and Sites as well the athletes themselves.

“It was more about listening to the athletes and various groups; majority would like to preserve the place so I asked permission from Malacañang that we would like to terminate the negotiations (for the sale of RMSC),” Ramirez said yesterday after the signing of agreement between the PSC-Philippine Sports Institute with nutritional company USANA Health Services Inc.

“It’s not about the price but preserving what Rizal Memorial is all about – its history, passion, spirit are priceless. We just thought we will rehabilitate Rizal Memorial in consultation with the NCCA probably by first quarter of 2018,” he added.

Claiming he also has the blessing from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Presidential Sports Adviser Dennis Uy, Ramirez wrote Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada to inform him of the PSC’s position, which he said is geared towards the welfare of the athletes.

“In relation to the PSC’s commitment to provide quality sports experience and better sporting environment for the welfare of the national team, as well as in the pursuit to develop and further promote sports among Filipinos, the PSC has decided to put on hold the negotiations with the City of Manila regarding the sale of the RMSC,” wrote Ramirez.

“I do not discount the possibility of future negotiations on RMSC. More so when proper valuation of the premises and the correct price is reached and agreed upon,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ramirez and PSI national training director Marc Velasco signed a two year agreement with and USANA Philippines and Indonesia vice president Aurora Mandanas-Gaston, making the nutritional company the official supplier of vitamins and supplements of 300 athletes in the national team.

Also present during the signing were athletes led by Grandmaster Eugene Torre, two-time billiards world champion Rubilen Amit and 2016 Paralympics bronze medalist Josephine Medina.