POC continues push for its own home

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is still holding on to the dream of having its own permanent office.

“I hope it will push through. A stand-alone permanent building for the POC will create more awareness about sports and our athletes,’’ said POC president Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino on Monday.

Tolentino wrote President Marcos a letter over a month ago, requesting that the POC be given a space within the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City where its own edifice can rise.

President Marcos agreed that the POC should have a house of its own in his speech on April 24 during the sendoff ceremony of the national athletes to the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

“It’s time to follow up the concept. It was already announced by the President in his speech,’’ said Tolentino.

“We’re also asking for a satellite office in [New] Clark [City in Capas, Tarlac province] with some sports venues,’’ added the Tagaytay City mayor.

Tolentino rued the fact that the POC hasn’t had its own office for the past 112 years. If the POC gets the go-signal to build one now, the organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee can house its offices, a boardroom and a museum, among others.

For now, the POC is sitting on an office space provided for by the Philippine Sports Commission in a building inside the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City. “It’s sad, but we are like informal settlers without a permanent address. I think we are just one of the few or the only one (from among the countries who participate in the Olympics) without a permanent office building,’’ said Tolentino.

“Other countries have a national Olympic committee building along major thoroughfares just like in Thailand,’’ said Tolentino. INQ