Members of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) board of commissioners have started to pack up in preparation for the looming end of their terms by noon of 30 June.
But sports commissioner Ramon Fernandez said they’re not leaving with heavy hearts.
“We’re leaving with a lot of happy memories,” Fernandez told Daily Tribune in a phone conversation.
“I believe our stay here at the PSC is a success as we were able to bring back the glory (of Philippine sports) in our own humble way. We’re proud with what we have accomplished. We’ve done our best.”
True enough, the PSC board headed by chairperson William “Butch” Ramirez will go down as the most successful, most united group in the 22 years of the government sports agency.
With Ramirez, a two-time chairperson, at the helm, the PSC was able to spearhead the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games with the national athletes winning their second overall title.
Then, weighlifter Hidilyn Diaz clinched the gold while boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam secured the silver and Eumir Marcial cornered the bronze medal to underscore the country’s most successful participation in the Summer Olympics in nearly a century.
Aside from that, the PSC also maintained a good relationship with other stakeholders like the national sports associations, Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, leading to the smooth funding of overseas exposures of elite athletes like Carlos Yulo of gymnastics, EJ Obiena of athletics and Diaz.
Fernandez, for one, served as chief of mission when the country finished fourth in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi — the Filipinos’ best performance in any biennial meet held outside the country.
The former basketball star said he will leave the PSC with his head held high together with Ramirez and commissioners Arnold Agustin, Celia Kiram and Charles Maxey.
“Since we started our term in 2016, we know that this day will eventually come. We serve at the pleasure of the President,” said Fernandez, who is now in the process of processing his clearance and returning all government-issued supplies and equipment.
“We are now preparing for a smooth transition. We still have several days to do that. It’s good that we have already started preparing this early.”
Fernandez added that he will not be completely away from sports.
In fact, he will spearhead a grassroots program through his Ramon S. Fernandez Sports and Youth Foundation with the help of the biggest business leaders like Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation, Manny Pangilinan of First Pacific Company Limited and Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc.
“My foundation is a member of an international philanthropic ecosystem. We have advocacies for youth and sports development, scholarship and housing,” said Fernandez, who will still fly to Manila from his home base in Cebu once his term in the PSC is over.
“This is my way of paying it forward and helping Philippine sports. Thorough my foundation, I’m very much willing to help and support the athletes even after my term in the PSC.”
Date: June 22, 2022 | By: Julius Manicad | Newspaper: Tribune | Source: https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2022/06/22/fernandez-weve-done-our-best/
