Lawmakers open to proposals to create Sports Department
SEVERAL lawmakers of the House of Representatives welcome the idea of creating a Department of Sports.
«I'll be speaking as a legislator and aside from that as a sports enthusiast and an athlete before. Number one, it would be a welcome development,» Ako Bicol Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said in a press conference on Monday.
Bongalon said «maybe it's about time for us to have a one department… that would lead» the country's sports program.
La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega 5th said creating a sports department was a good suggestion.
Ortega said the agency could serve as the umbrella of all sports organizations.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong expressed support for «any measure that would… improve the management of our athletes from… talent scouting to training and development to competition support.»
The Philippines won two gold and two bronze medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The two golds were won by gymnast Carlos Yulo, one bronze won by boxer Aira Villegas, and another bronze won by boxer Nesthy Petecio.
AdvertisementSpeaker Martin Romualdez congratulated «our Filipino athletes for their historic achievements at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Finishing 37th in the world… is a remarkable feat that reflects the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of our athletes.»
Romualdez said Yulo's golds and the bronzes of Petecio and Villegas «have made our nation proud, and we celebrate this momentous achievement. I commend all our athletes who gave their best in Paris, particularly EJ Obiena and Bianca Pagdanganan, who narrowly missed the podium but have inspired millions with their perseverance.»
«I also extend my deepest appreciation to all Filipino athletes who made it to Paris. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment have brought honor to our nation. Qualifying for the Olympics is already an extraordinary achievement, and you have shown the world the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit,» he said.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the country's first Olympic gold in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
