Header Ads Widget

Romero bats for quick finish of PSTC: "If the builders have to work 24/7, they must"

Congressman Mikee Romero hopes that the PSTC will be done in just two years. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—If Congressman Mikee Romero is to be asked, he would want the new Philippine Sports Training Center to be finished within two years.

"There is no wiggling out of this 24-month deadline. If the builders have to work 24/7, they must," said the current assistant majority leader of the House of Representatives in a statement.

Romero, the captain of the national polo team and the owner of NorthPort in the Philippine Basketball Association, based his projection on the six-month planning period and the mandated 18-month construction right after.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved on Valentine's Day Republic Act 11214 that gives the green light to the construction of the PSTC. He formally signed the law in Malacañang on Wednesday.

[Related Story: Law creating PSTC signed by Duterte]

PHP3.5 billion will be allocated for the completion of the PSTC, which according to Romero, "is a small amount relative to how much our Southeast Asian neighbors have spent to build their sports training centers."

"Giving the PSC and the [Philippine Sports Academy] sufficient funding must be next on the sports agenda of Congress," he added. "The PSC must have sufficient powers to advance the welfare of Filipino athletes through continuing compensation, allowances, benefits, nutrition, and livelihood support."

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno