By Edwin Rollon
Caption: PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio (center) shares a photo opportunity with the newly elected officers of the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) led by Bulgar sports editor Nympha Miano-Ang (seated, right) after presiding over their oath-taking ceremony on Tuesday. Also in the photo are (from left, standing) Danny Simon of Gilas, Ethel Guinio of Saksi, Jeff Venancio of Police Files, Rey Nillama of Hanep, Edwin Rollon of Manila Standard/Sportstek.ph, and Rico Navarro of Remate.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio is pushing for the establishment of an institutionalized National Training Center across the regions, a move he hopes will become his lasting legacy in Philippine sports.
Gregorio stressed during a chit-chat with members and officers of the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS), that a genuine grassroots program will never be achieved if athlete development remains concentrated in Metro Manila, particularly at Rizal Memorial and PhilSports Complex.
“Bakit kayo nasa Rizal Memorial at sa Philsports lang ang training, dapat nasa regional na kayo,” Gregorio quoted President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as saying during their recent meeting in Malacañang.
“This is what President Marcos wants. We need to fast-track the building of National Training Centers in the regions. Many facilities are already in place and just need to be developed. For areas without existing venues, we have already identified talents and will focus training centers there,” Gregorio explained.
With his extensive background in basketball, boxing, and rowing, Gregorio said he has started talks with various National Sports Associations (NSAs) to align the centers with talent identification and sport specialization.
He emphasized the importance of “adopt-a-sport” partnerships with local governments to ensure sustainability.
“Let’s not build training centers that will cover every sport. Resources will run out. For example, Zamboanga has produced strong weightlifters—let’s focus there. In Bukidnon, boxing and arnis are thriving. Senator Migz Zubiri and I have already discussed setting up in that area,” he said.
Among the target sites are Ilocos Norte, Baguio, Bataan, Tarlac (where New Clark City already stands), Tayabas, Quezon, Canlubang, Batangas, Cavite, Cebu, Bacolod City, Iloilo, Zamboanga, and Siargao, which is eyed as a hub for water sports.
Gregorio also urged the National Academy of Sports (NAS) to regionalize its operations so more young athletes from the provinces can pursue both education and training without leaving home.
“Many parents are hesitant to let their children go to Manila at a young age. If they can study and train at an NAS branch near them, they can continue without giving up,” he said.
To ensure funding, Gregorio confirmed ongoing coordination with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) for the systematic release of the P36 billion allocated for sports.
“Pagcor is our partner. We need a proper system to make sure funds for sports development won’t compromise the other sectors they also support,” he said.
