The Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC), a pipe dream that has now taken shape, is designed to create more Olympians, produce future Hall of Famers and empower Filipino athletes.
But it doesn’t end there.
The sports facility, which has an initial capital outlay of P3.5 billion from the national government, will adopt a scientific approach using modern equipment.
It would also house athletes to allow unhampered training for major tournaments and include facilities for coaches’ development.
The PSTC was the second law that Sen. Sonny Angara, author of Republic Act No. 11214 (PSTC Act), and Sen. Manny Pacquiao, chair of the sports committee, pushed for the athletes’ welfare.
Officials of at least three national sports associations (NSAs), meanwhile, said that the benefits of high-altitude training, close proximity to Metro Manila, superb accommodations and venues and refreshing weather all year round make Tagaytay City a perfect location for the PSTC.
Earlier reports indicated Rosales town in Pangasinan as the venue of the PSTC.
“Pangasinan’s humid weather and long distance from Manila are just two of the reasons why it’s not a perfect place to train national athletes,” said one NSA official who requested anonymity.
“Baguio City used to be a very good venue but it’s too crowded now, and there’s the problem of pollution,” said another official. “We are looking at Tagaytay City to make a pitch to the Philippine Sports Commission.”