Laborers continue to work on the rehabilitation and preservation of the facilities inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on November 6, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA -- A partnership between the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Public Works and Highways was formalized to upgrade the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila--a move seen to improve the welfare of national athletes.
“We always want to give what is best when it comes to the primary needs of the athletes. This is one of the significant steps to ensure that they remain safe and at peace, day in or day out of their training sessions on a long-term basis,” said PSC chairman Richard Bachmann, who was among those who spearheaded the initiative of the separate agreements alongside Executive Director Paulo Francisco Tatad and Accounting Division Chief Atty. Erik Jean Mayores.
DPWH - NCR and Metro Manila First District were represented by Regional Director Engr. Loreta M. Malaluan and District Engineer Aristotle B. Ramos for the Philsports Complex’ jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, DPWH - South Manila District Engineering Office was attended by OIC Engr. Manny B. Bulasan and OIC Asst. District Engineer Brian B. Briones for RMSC facilities.
This ensures the upgrade of dormitory facilities in PhilSports Complex where several national athletes train, serving as a counterpart for the RMSC’s seven-storey athletes’ dormitory which held its groundbreaking last September.
Over at the RMSC, retrofitting of the Baseball Stadium is currently on-going which is envisioned to be upgraded in accordance to the international standards. This will include a covered roofing and an improved grandstand or spectators’ area, providing an outstanding atmosphere for audiences, a high-resolution LED scoreboard, and protective netting and stainless-steel railings with glass.
Other soon-to-rise facilities are the 12-storey multi-purpose facility adjacent to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium featuring a modernized bowling facility, the re-development of the Philippine Sports Museum, and the rehabilitation of the sports agency’s Administrative Building.
“I’d like to thank DPWH for partnering with us. And I’m sure ‘pag tapos na [ang projects], all the athletes and NSAs [National Sports Associations] will be actually happy,” Bachmann stated.