Angping bids sports commission's employees goodbye

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping yesterday formally bade goodbye to hundreds of PSC employees as he is set to leave the government’s sports-funding agency he had effectively led the last 18 months.

“I would like to thank all of you for all the support you’ve given because without you, we wouldn’t have achieved what the PSC is today,” said Angping during the opening of the newly refurbished Badminton Hall at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila.

As appointee of President Arroyo, Angping’s term also ends today.

“My wish is for you to extend the same support to the next chairman and four commissioners whoever they are so that the PSC will continue to reap the fruits of our labor,” he said.

Angping, who took over from William Ramirez early last year, said he is leaving the PSC in the pink of health after generating savings amounting to millions in rentals of the facilities as well as the newly constructed commercial centers within the complex.

“We already finished the commercial centers around the complex and add the money that we would get from the rentals of our swimming pools and track and ovals, we’ll have millions of savings. It was never done before,” he said.

The former softball chief and Manila Congressman attended the event alongside wife, Manila Rep. Naida Angping, son Hans and PSC commissioners Fr. Vic Uy, Eric Loretizo and Joey Mundo.

Angping’s departure comes at a time when the national athletes are in the thick of their preparations for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November.

Angping, however, said he would stay on his post until after his successor is named by newly elected President Noynoy Aquino.

“I will not leave until the President appoints my successor because officially I will only be the PSC chairman until tomorrow (today). After that, I will just be the caretaker,” said Angping.

Angping submitted his resignation as early as two weeks ago to allow the Chief Executive the freehand to choose his replacement.

Under Angping’s watch, sports facilities such as swimming pools and dormitories at the RMC, Philsports Arena in Pasig City as well as in Baguio underwent a major facelift.

Angping also professionalized the system within the commission, weeded out non-performing athletes, coaches and employees, established a partnership with La Salle in putting up a sports academy for athletes and coaches as well as the transformation of the track and field oval into a football stadium without a single expense and generated extra funds from its commercial areas.

“I’ll leave knowing we at the PSC have done these things,” said Angping.