It is my hope that the programs and projects of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will not only include the propagation and development of sports and national athletes but also their retirement, health and death.
I say this following the news that spread in the social media this week that the track and field queen of the 80s—Lydia De Vega-Mercado is in a very critical condition. Penned by Mercado's daughter Stephanie "Paneng" Mercado-Koenigswarter said the former Asia's fastest woman is in need of prayers and financial assistance due to her worsening condition due to Stage 4 Breast Cancer.
Mercado's daughter said the sprint queen was first diagnosed in 2018 and since then she has been silently fighting the big C. Paneng Mercado explained that as her mother's condition is progressing, the state of her health is likewise worsening.
I understand that the the veteran sprinter has managed to secure a decent living for herself as a former coach. However, it would be much better to have a program that includes former athletes and coaches in the national government's sports program. That way, we not only protect the memory of our national athletes and coaches, but are also building a stronger foundation for the sports program of the national sports today and the future generations.
Meanwhile, athletes such as boxer Luisito Espinosa had to go to China to better his life after retiring from boxing. Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, silver medal holder in Atlanta olympics in 1996 and his brother Roel, who won bronze in Barcelona olympics in 1992, did not receive all the promised incentives to them by the national government upon coming home.
These are among the continuing saga of Filipino athletes as active athletes have to continue to endure the government's failure to provide food allowance and decent lodging for regular and para-athletes such as Edwin Villanueva and Adrian Asul. Eumir Marcial, who participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said he had to appeal for donations and sponsorship to be able to represent the country. As for the Filipino tennis player Alex Eala, she and her family had to correct the claim made by PSC that the commission paid P3 million for Eala's training.
I pray that the new administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos would also look at the corruption at the PSC and POC, and would review the merit of those names being considered for the posts before appointing them to the office to ensure the welfare of the national athletes and that the sports programs are always the top considerations and priorities of our sports agencies.