Bill seeks to employ athletes as government employees

Alfred delos Santos (Photo from the Instagram account of the Probinsyano Party List)

MANILA, Philippines — Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Alfred delos Santos has proposed a “Lydia de Vega Act,” which would employ all national athletes and coaches as government employees.

Delos Santos’ House Bill No. 4654 aims to make national athletes and coaches regular government employees citing their “dedication to fight for the flag and country in the service [of] our nation.”

“They bring honor, glory, and prestige every time they represent the country in international competitions. Excellence in sports requires not only physical aptitude but more importantly, mental and emotional fortitude. But how can we expect our national athletes to focus on their training if they still must worry if they will be able to financially sustain themselves and their families?” he said.

The bill was named in honor of Lydia de Vega, “Asia’s fastest woman of the 1980s,” who brought glory and prestige to the country in track and field.

—JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE

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