THE Philippine Sports Commission is set to convene a Philippine Sports Stakeholders panel on Wednesday in an effort to shed light and at the same time, avoid a repetition of the tragic death that befell young Ateneo basketball players Rene 'Bobet' Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In a press briefing, PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio said the meeting will be composed of members of the government sports agency, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Commission on Higher Education, National Youth Commission, Department of Education, and the UAAP, where the involved school is an active member.
READ: Police release first detailed report of Ateneo camp 'accident'
Gregorio though stressed the panel isn’t an investigative body.
“We are here to help address this concern dahil alam natin na ang pamilya ni Rene at ni Divine ay nagdadalamhati, alam din natin na ang buong Ateneo community ay nagdadalamhati. Pero sana maintindihan nating lahat na kailangan naming gawin ang proseso na ito para hindi na po maulit,” said the PSC chair.
Representing the UAAP is executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag and Fr. Aldrin Suan of Adamson, while Erika Dy will be coming in behalf of the SBP.
Joining them are commissioner Fritz Gaston, who’s in-charge for basketball affair of the PSC and formerly an Ateneo player, CHED chairman Shirley Agrupis, NYC chairman Jeff Ortega, an avid surfer from La Union, and DepEd undersecretary Malcolm Garma.
"These are the people we will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) as we pursue this very difficult, painful process para po malaman natin paano tayo makakapag-tulungan para hindi na maulit ito," said Gregorio, who came straight from Candon City, Ilocos Sur to watch the campaign of the national volleyball team in the AVC Women's Cup.
The PSC chief was joined during the briefing by Gaston and executive secretary Atty. Guillermo Iroy.
During the panel meeting, Iroy expects to review the DepEd policies regarding school activities with CHED, NYC, SBP, and the UAAP.
"May process po kasi yung mga in and out of school activities. There is a standing memorandum issued by CHED on that. And everyone knows ma-follow lahat yung mga procedural guidelines kapag merong out of school activities," said Iroy.
"And the chairman has instructed us to ensure this does not happen again and ensure the safety of the athletes."
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