Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go today assured Filipino athletes that the Duterte Administration marks the start of an era where excellence in sports will be backed by government's full support. Go said that New Clark City, specifically its sports facilities, is a major step in supporting our athletes towards the Philippines’ dream of claiming its first Olympic gold medal.
“Tapos na ang panahon kung saan pinapabayaan lang ng gobyerno ang mga atleta. Sa Administrasyong Duterte, mayroon na pong malinaw na plano para makamit natin ang inaasam na gintong medalya,” Go said during the inspection of the sports facilities.
The last time the government built facilities for athletes and sporting events was in 1934.
No Filipino athlete has ever won a gold medal in the Olympics since the Philippines first joined in 1924. The country, however, has bagged three silver medals, the latest being in weightlifting by Hidilyn Diaz at the 2016 summer games in Brazil.
New Clark City is a government-owned planned community in Capas, Tarlac. It will be the venue of the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019. The sports facilities include a 20,000-seating-capacity athletics stadium, a 2,000-seating-capacity aquatics center, and a 2,100-bed Athletes’ Village.
Go, being an avid sports fan, said that he is aware of the needs of the athletes. He further added that he will continue to extend assistance to them regardless of what sports they are competing and what position he is in.
“Our government at last has built new and modern facilities as a home for Filipino athletes,” Go told the members of the national teams who were present. “We know that you have endured old and sometimes unsafe facilities for so long,” he added.
The sports facilities, certified by sports regulating bodies as fit for international competitions, are part of the National Multi-Sports Training Park, which in turn is part of the National Government Administrative Center, which will host the contingency administrative offices of all branches of the government in case of national calamities.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority, a government-owned and controlled corporation, manages New Clark City. Bong Go joined BCDA President Vicencio Dizon and former Secretary Alan Cayetano as they led the inspection of the sports facilities.
Go said that infrastructure development in the planned “New Clark City” community is one of the flagship projects of the Duterte Administration’s Build Build Build program.
"Pulido, maganda at maayos na mga proyekto ang nais ni Tatay Digong. Inaasahan namin na ang New Clark City ay magiging kapaki-pakinabang sa mga pilipino, hindi lang sa darating na SEA Games," Go said.
Go, a candidate for senator in the 2019 elections, also shared with the athletes and government officials his sports-related legislative agenda.
As he prioritizes empowering the youth through sports development programs, Go shared his plans to push for measures that will establish sports development centers in various parts of the country where trainings and mentoring could be given to the youth for free.
"Sports will help them stay away from illegal drugs. We should have sports facilities with basic equipment that will also help train athletes for free," said Go.
He furthered that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is fighting illegal drugs for it destroys the future of the youth.
“With more venues for sports development, we can produce or discover more world-class Filipino athletes," he said adding that a sports facility may be a breeding ground for potential athletes that may represent the country in international competitions.
Moreover, Go said that he will push for bigger rewards, pension, and scholarships for athletes who have garnered and will garner medals in local and international competitions.
Aside from laying down some of his plans, he also encouraged all the athletes to continue being part of President Rodrigo Duterte's fight against crime, corruption, and illegal drugs by being role models to the youth in promoting involvement in sports.
"Kaugnay nito, patuloy pa rin ang paghihikayat sa mga mamamayan na lumahok sa sports. Sports ay epektibong paraan upang mailayo ang mga kabataan sa iligal na droga, kriminalidad at korapsyon. Sama-sama tayo sa maunlad at malusog na sambayanan," Go said.
Go will also serve as head of delegation to the national team in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Go has been regarded as one of the key figures who helped the Philippines participate in the men's basketball tournament of the 2018 Asian Games.
