Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio wants to help national sports associations (NSA) handle their finances to avoid liquidation woes.
Gregorio said helping each NSA professionalize itself would greatly benefit them and the athletes, especially when they request funding.
“One of the things we are studying in the PSC now is the setup of an NSA. If we can, we can help not only the athletes but also the office,” Gregorio said.
“The office of the NSA could be professionalized in terms of organization and a particular person handling this liquidation process.”
Gregorio has set up a general assembly on 8 July to meet up with each NSA and discuss their needs.
The 57-year-old sports official speaks from experience.
Gregorio was a president of an NSA, the Philippine Rowing Association which produced Olympians Cris Nievarez and Joanie Delgaco.
He was also a former secretary general in the Philippine Olympic Committee and in the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines.
Gregorio said he is eyeing to keep the PSC office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex accessible to athletes.
The PSC recently reverted to its original operating hours of Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“I know the four-days-a-week system was back during the Covid times. I’m okay with that but we can’t fully close our doors to athletes on Fridays,” Gregorio said.
“Imagine an athlete about to leave for a competition and all we can say is that we are closed. Me and Atty. Guillermo Iroy are reviewing this because I believe that we should be accessible to the athletes.”