THE Philippine Gaming Corporation will be asked to remit its full 5 percent allocation to the Philippine Sports Commission.
The incoming administration of president-apparent Rodrigo Duterte will make this happen during his watch.
Former PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Duterte’s long-time adviser for sports in Davao City, said this is one of the priority moves needed to be done for the government sports agency to achieve its goals.
For years, Ramirez noted that the PAGCOR has not been remitting the full amount to the PSC.
“PAGCOR’s share must be remitted in full for PSC to achieve its goals,” Ramirez added.
PAGCOR brought down its PSC contribution to 2.135 percent of its gross income since 1993.
Ramirez vowed that radical change will soon come to Philippine sports.
The Davao City-based Ramirez, discussed his thoughts as the incoming president’s transition team began crafting his policies and goals for the next six years.
“Trabaho na kami. Definitely, there’s radical change. Kung sino ang uupo will put Philippine sports in a positive direction,” said Ramirez in an interview with The Standard.
Ramirez has headed the Davao Sports Development Division since he quit his post as PSC Chairman in 2008.
Duterte, according to Ramirez, will start discussing to him his administration’s plans for sports by next week.
Ramirez bared that the incoming president wants to give equal importance to grassroots development, international sports and elite-level activities.
“It’s all about developing athletes, and strengthening the search for the Olympic gold,” said Ramirez.
The search and development of young and talented athletes will be enhanced, once the new set of officials are in place in the PSC.
The 65-year-old Ramirez added that while he won’t be back to run the government sports agency again, he will play an active role in the search for the next chairman and the four commissioners.
They will screen applicants in the coming days as he joins the presidential transition team in the selection process.
Ramirez said he will discuss to Duterte and his transition team the role of the 26-year old PSC in sports development and the relationship it has with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the national sports associations.