PSC to expand youth program

MANILA, Philippines — There’s a lot on PSC chairman Dicky Bachmann’s plate for the new year but the challenge to get things done is a rallying cry for the government agency whose mandate is to provide direction for a national sports development program with emphasis on grassroots development.

In his to-do list for 2025, Bachmann said he intends to continue expanding platforms for youth development by strengthening linkages with stakeholders nationwide, deepening PSC’s collaboration at every level. 

“We remain committed to further enhancing the welfare of our athletes,” he said. “Significant improvements to their training facilities are underway to better meet their needs on and off the field. This year’s packed calendar includes numerous international tournaments, reflecting our readiness to sustain our achievements and strive for even greater goals.”

Bachmann said he envisions more victories and the realization of sustainable success for Philippine sports this year. The climax of the 2025 calendar is the SEA Games on Dec. 9-20 in Thailand with 585 events in 50 sports. Included in the schedule are bowling, squash, equestrian and archery which were not played in the 2023 edition in Cambodia.

The recent Supreme Court decision ordering the remittance of funds due to PSC from PAGCOR and PCSO since 1993 is a major boost in the effort to build a sizable war chest for grassroots and elite athletes’ development. The estimate is back remittances could amount to over P25 billion and the monthly allocation to PSC would be raised from P150 million to P1.6 billion. It took eight years for the decision to be handed down but now that the order has been made, there is still no update on when the funds will be given.

Bachmann said a new year's wish is for PSC to be allowed to create more permanent positions for COS (Contract of Service) hires. “It’s to better serve our athletes and 82 NSAs,” he said, reiterating the importance of increasing plantilla positions in the organization to transform COS workers into permanent employees.