THE Philippine Sports Commission will be bigger in scope when William “Butch” Ramirez returns as Chairman of the government sports agency.
Regional offices will be put up in numerous provinces to reinforce incoming President Rodrigo Duterte’s thrust to strengthen the agency’s grassroots sports program at the national level.
This is also in line with the Duterte administration’s efforts to push for the implementation of federalism in the country.
“Palalakasin natin ang community sports kaya magkakaroon tayo ng maraming regional offices,” said Ramirez, who accepted President Duterte’s offer last Monday.
Ramirez, in an interview with The Standard, said he will officially assume office on July 1. He will meet outgoing PSC chairman Ricardo “Richie” Garcia and other PSC employees on June 28.
He earlier had a meeting with incoming executive secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Aside from basketball star Ramon Fernandez, Ramirez is tapping former PSC executive director Joseph Encabo to also return to the agency, this time as a commissioner. Someone associated with the camp of Senator Allan Peter Cayetano, Duterte’s vice presidential running mate, will be named commissioner.
Wilfredo Roldan, a former sports complex administrator of the Philsports Arena, is also rumored to be one of the commissioners.
Ramirez is crafting plans to revamp the training program of national athletes.
He headed the Davao City Sports Development Division after he quit his post as PSC Chairman in 2008.
Ramirez wants resources of the agency to be directed and focused on the training of national athletes.