It didn’t take long for Patrick “Pato” Gregorio to win the hearts of national sports association (NSA) leaders.

NSA executives rallied behind the newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman shortly after announcing that he will increase the allowances of national athletes and coaches by P5,000 during the general assembly last Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy said the 57-year-old Gregorio hit the ground running in carrying out the mission of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of taking good care of the national athletes.

It’s going to be the first time since 2016 for the athletes and coaches to get an increase in their allowances.

Although elite athletes like Olympic medalists Carlos Yulo and Nesthy Petecio are taking home around P50,000, members of the national training pool are getting a meager P10,200 — a sum that is barely enough to motivate them to work hard and bring glory to the country.

Gregorio stressed that there’s no political intention behind the move. Instead it was a decision that “came from the bottom of our hearts.”

“We’re very excited for the athletes. His programs seem athlete-centered,” said Dy, adding that Gregorio’s vast experience as a former NSA leader and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) secretary general gives him a crystal-clear idea on what needs to be done in Philippine sports.

“With chairman, a former executive director of the SBP, we’re excited about that because he understands our sport.”

Cynthia Carrion, the president of the successful Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, agrees, saying that Gregorio is the leader that Filipino athletes need.

“He knew he was going to be the chairman nine months ago,” said Carrion, referring to the reports that floated last October that Gregorio was on his way to become the 13th chief of the government sports agency.

“Three years is not enough for Pato. He needs more time to do what he wants in the PSC because he is a very good chairman. He is the kind of chairman that Filipino athletes need.”

Aside from the increase in allowance, Gregorio will also establish a 24/7 help desk that will cater to the needs of Filipino athletes.

There will also be new concessionaires at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Philsports compound and Teachers Camp in Baguio City to make sure that no Filipino athlete will be hungry.

“I have talked to the NSA Affairs, it will be open 24/7. From the clinic to the ambulance, the NSA Affairs will be 24/7,” Gregorio said.

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo said Gregorio’s very impressive performance in the early stretch of his term no longer surprises them.

“We knew Chairman Pato from our interactions in the past,” said Manalo, referring to his former boss at the national boxing federation.

“He also came from an NSA so he knows the difficulties and issues the athletes face. With his experience, he already has a structure on how to address the issues.”