Safety protocols safeguard funds

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Sports Commission  chairman Butch Ramirez yesterday said there are safety protocols in place ensuring judicious, proper use of the budget allocated for the country’s hosting of the 30th SEA Games.

Ramirez said all parties involved: the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) and the PSC are all working together on their roles. “We have the country’s best interest in mind,” said Ramirez.

In the present set-up, the Department of Budget and Management manages the disbursement of funds and, together with the Procurement Service, purchases equipment, fixtures and other requirements for the Games.

The PSC receives a request from the PHISGOC, with supporting papers such as the board resolution of its officers approving the said request, in effect making the PSC an initial line of check and balance. It is the DBM that has the final say whether certain transactions pass its thorough evaluation, before it is given a go to process.

They will also be required to clear previous releases before new funding is released. This is the same policy the PSC applies to national sports associations to avoid unliquidated accounts.

Being a government entity, the PSC has the burden of accountability. “This is why we are one of the most invested in ensuring that everything is above-board,“ said the sports chief.

After the unity meeting held last July 24 at the Malacañang Palace, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea formed a monitoring group for the Games, composed of Atty. Kim Raissa Uy from his office, Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo of the Presidential Management Staff and PSC Executive Director Merlita Ibay.

In his meeting last week with Ramon Suzara and Tom Carrasco, Phisgoc COO and executive director respectively, Ramirez gave them PSC’s commitment of cooperation encouraging them that “if there are problems, share them with us, ‘wag niyo solohin, para magkasama tayo humanap ng solusyon.”