Eala sets priorities in PSC

MANILA, Philippines — New PSC chairman Noli Eala said yesterday his three immediate priorities to hit the ground running fresh on the job are to reorganize the PSC Board with Malacañang’s appointment of three more commissioners, to seek support from key components of the national sports ecosystem and to act on pending issues long overdue for resolution.

Eala met with Commissioner Bong Coo, executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, deputy executive directors Merlita Ibay and Cristine Abellana, the chief accountant and heads of administration, human resources and communications, on his first day of office at the Rizal Sports Complex last Thursday. “I’m excited to get to work,” he said. “My intention isn’t to rock the boat. I want to keep everyone and evaluate to make sure people are in the right position and determine if anyone should be moved or replaced.”

At the moment, Eala is awaiting Malacañang’s designation of three commissioners. “We’re a board of five and so far, only Commissioner Bong and I have been appointed,” he said. “I’ve submitted a list of candidates to the Presidential Management Staff and Office of the Executive Secretary. They’re all professionals with different expertise and no political favors in mind. One is an expert in finance and administration. Another has experience in local government management and is familiar with government processes. Another is a long-time NSA official involved with NSAs. Another is a doctor of medicine with a focus on sports sciences. Another is a data guy with a doctorate in statistics. And finally, we have an entrepreneur, a former NSA official who can leverage private sector support.”

Eala said reaching out to sports stakeholders is a priority. “I plan to meet with the POC, Executive Board and NSA officials,” he said. “I also intend to meet everyone who supports the PSC from PAGCOR, PCSO, BIR, Bureau of Customs, Department of Finance, Philracom, PhilPost, Committees on Sports of both the Senate and the House and the private sector. At the same time, I’ll look into whatever is pending, requests for financial support that are long overdue.”

Eala said athletes will be given utmost attention in his watch. “Let’s give our athletes all the benefits they deserve under the law,” he said. “My slogan is let’s care for Philippine sports like no other. It’s all about athletes first. The thrust is to develop homegrown talents. There are no shortcuts to success and we have to enhance the training of athletes. I have ideas on nutrition and setting up sports labs which we will study. A goal is to establish a framework leading to the pathway towards sports for all. I want to see a connect to programs like Batang Pinoy with the grassroots at the barangay level, tapping the sports promotion and development councils of the Department of Education and DILG so that we introduce sports at a young age, keeping the youth away from vices and discovering talents for the future.”