PSC: No request to gov’t to prioritize PH Olympians for vaccination

FILE – Philippine delegates wave flags during the opening ceremony of the 30th South East Asian Games at the Philippine Arena, Bulacan province, northern Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino Olympians will not be on the priority list for vaccine inoculation but the Philippine Sports Commission will still ask the government for assistance if Tokyo requires its competitors to be vaccinated before entering the Games.

Marc Velasco, the Philippine Sports Institute National Director, said in a virtual press conference that the PSC did not ask to be prioritized once the government starts its vaccination program.

He said that they would not cut in line as they’re aware that the government prioritizes frontline workers for vaccination.

“The PSC does not ask the government to prioritize our athletes over frontline workers, policemen, health workers, support staff for COVID operations, and also the elderlies,” said Velasco Thursday.

“What the PSC was asking from the government, since the government is the one to procure the vaccine, is if the government could assist the PSC in the vaccination should it becomes a requirement for Tokyo.”

The Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases lists frontline health workers, senior citizens, indigent Filipinos and uniformed personnel as the prioritized beneficiaries once the vaccine becomes available.

Currently, those who are already qualified for the Olympics and those training for the qualifiers are inside a bubble in Calamba.

HELP FROM PRIVATE SECTOR

Velasco said that with athletes being “strong individuals,” they’re already out of the priority list of the government.

However, PSC said it will still gladly accept help from the private sector if it decides to help out.

It’s no secret that the private sector has been an instrumental help to national teams. Sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan bankrolls the country’s basketball program.

“On the PSC’s part we appreciate any form of help from the private sector and once the private sector gets involved in the dealings of the sport that’d be a big help,” said Velasco. “Right now especially when we have depleted funds, it would be a big thing.”

“As long as the vaccine’s cleared, we do appreciate that definitely.”