MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has assured lawmakers they would support and help craft bills that will give automatic civil service eligibility to Filipino athletes winning international competitions like the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada said Wednesday that Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao talked to her about his proposal that would benefit Filipino athletes, which she, in turn, relayed to the two other CSC officials – Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala and Commissioner Roberto Valderosa Jr.
“So when I spoke to Congressman Siao, I relayed the same to Chairman Bala and Commissioner Valdrerosa, the two other members of the commission, and we support the move, kasi po (because) these athletes they bring international recognition and honor to our country,” Lizada said in an audio message sent to reporters.
“So, this is one way of boosting the morale of all our athletes. We are open and we welcome the move po no’ng kay (of) Congressman Siao for this proposed bill, the CSC supports this move and the chairman has relayed that we are willing to extend assistance if ever our assistance is needed in crafting the bill,” she added.
Siao on Monday suggested that Filipino athletes who have won in international sports meet be given full-fledged professional licenses even without a pen-and-paper test, as a way of giving back for their sacrifices and hard work.
Under the lawmaker’s proposal, athletes would be considered licensed professionals and their sport would also be considered as a permanent occupation, triggering talks about ensuring athletes have proper compensation, benefits, career stability, and post-retirement care.
Lizada said such a plan would benefit the athletes as with automatic eligibility, they can enter various government offices after their heydays as athletes are over.
“Maganda ho ‘yong bill kasi (This is a good bill because) it allows government to look after and to take care of our own athletes because once you grant them eligibility pwede po sila pumasok sa mga (they can work in) sports offices ng mga (of) LGUs, or the Philippine Sports Commission, and they can help our future athletes or those who are still training,” she noted.
As of Wednesday, the Philippines leads the 30th SEA Games as it so far harvested a total of 103 medals – 51 gold, 33 silver, 19 bronze. The number of gold medals to date was a record since it already surpassed the number of gold medals that the Philippines got in the 2017 edition of the regional biennial multi-sports competition.
Lizada then hinted that such automatic eligibility for triumphant Filipino athletes may also be extended to their coaches because they are the ones who train and harness the capabilities of players.
“The victories of the athletes ay (are) due po sa (to) coaches, let us include them in the discussion po. Kasi they can be the coaches sa grassroots level po – LGU, so we can train our youth at an early age, start them young po,” she explained.