Pacquiao, the adopted son of Manila City, was welcomed by Atienza when he arrived at the Manila City Hall at around noon yesterday.
The 26-year-old featherweight said he would support the mayor’s program. "Nais kung tulungan ang mga mag uumpisa sa boxing. Dahil idolo nila ako, kung gusto nila marating ang narating ko ngayon bibigyan ko sila nang paraan para marating ito," he said.
He expressed willingness to allocate as much as two days a week to attend the boxing clinics unless he needs to go home to his native province General Santos or train abroad for future bouts.
Pacquiao, regarded as a modern day Filipino hero, also expressed his gratitude to the mayor for being a sports afficionado.
Atienza said he had previously made the offer to Pacquiao.
"As we welcome back and congratulate our fellow Manileño for making us proud after putting up a very good fight in Las Vegas. We invite him to join in the city’s efforts to create future boxing champions," he said.
The mayor has also ordered Manila Sports Council (Masco) chairman Ali Atienza to coordinate with Pacquiao’s camp in scheduling the free clinics and training in the city’s redeveloped sports facilities as soon as possible.
"We are very fortunate to have him (Pacquiao) on board our program. With his combined talent and experience, plus good sportsmanship, we are sure to develop well-rounded athletes," the mayor said.
Pacquiao arrived in the country last Saturday after losing his fight against Mexican Erik Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 20. Early in the fight, the Filipino suffered a cut above the right eye.
He told reporters that he believed he would have won the match if he did not sustain the gash that left him temporarily blind while fighting Morales. "Maganda sana ang laban kaso isang mata ko lang ang makakita. Ang tingin ko tuloy, kahit malayo ang kalaban ko ay akala ko malapit," he said.
He thanked all thsoe who supported and prayed for him during his Las Vegas fight and assured his fans that he would do better next time.
The stitches on his right eye were removed last Monday. It would take him a week before he can get back to training.