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| PSC chairman Pato Gregorio led a stakeholders' panel to tackle the drowning incident involving Ateneo players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. PSC |
MANILA—The Philippine Sports Commission will pledge a substantial cash sum to the families of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili following the sudden passing of the college basketball players on Monday.
PSC chairman Pato Gregorio made the announcement at the conclusion of a press conference on Wednesday, wherein the stakeholders' panel that the sports agency organized discussed its early plans of action in addressing the drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora that led to the Ateneo players' tragic death.
"Nag-usap kami ngayon na ang ibibigay ng Philippine Sports Commission in partnership with all the government sectors present here today ay PHP250,000 para sa pamilya nina Rene at Divine. Yan po ang tulong ng gobyerno para ma-address natin yung pangangailangan ng mga pamilya ng nasawi," Gregorio said during the said media briefing at the PSC Media Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
During the panel meeting, which was attended by all the members called up to make the group, immediate resolutions and priority actions were already formulated as agreed upon by consensus.
The panel first recognized the quick actions of the Commission on Higher Education by immediately conducting a fact-finding mission regarding the team-building activity where the tragedy happened and providing psychosocial support and other services to the aggrieved families.
The panel also agreed to support the Sports Coaching Act proposed at the congressional level by House committee on youth and sports development chair Mike Dy, wherein a national registry and mandatory licensing and certification are being proposed to be established.
The panel will also establish robust safety standards, risk management protocols, and emergency response capabilities across all sports levels from grassroots to the pros.
The PSC is also working with Philippine Life Saving to expand water safety education, certification, and preparedness programs for sports personnel.
"We cannot undo what has happened, but we can ensure that this loss is not without purpose. The most meaningful way to honor Rene and Divine is to commit ourselves to legacy reforms that build a sporting environment worthy of every athlete who entrusts their dreams to it," the joint statement of the sports stakeholders' panel read.
