PSC backs out of proposed Clark nat’l training center

The construction of the proposed national training center for Filipino athletes in Clark, Pampanga has hit a snag due to high rental cost.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia said negotiations bogged down after additional features unfavorable to the sports-funding agency were included in the agreement with the Clark International Airport Corporation.

“There were aspects in the contract that we don’t agree, so we backed out,’’ said Garcia. “Let’s wait for a better time for this and sit down to clarify the issues that they brought up.”

CIAC owns the 50-hectare property where the PSC plans to build the training center. A reliable source said CIAC wants to charge the PSC P150,000 per hectare to the tune of P7.5 million a year for 10 years.

“Apparently, they were under the impression that we will earn from this, that we will use the property to construct venues where the PSC can earn,” said Garcia. “This is not accurate because a training center is not a place for competition. It’s just a place to train athletes.’’

Garcia pointed out that the PSC would in fact spend for the maintenance of the facility contrary to the belief that agency stands to earn from the training center.

“You will earn if you have a coliseum where thousands of people can pay and watch the competition. There’s no such thing in a training center,” he added.