Pacquiao creates PBCSC for the future

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY – Sen. Manny Pacquiao is coming up with the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission (PBCSC) under Senate Bill No. 207 which is the creation of a separate commission that will provide stability and clear direction for professional boxing and combat sports.

It is co-authored by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

It is for the future of every Filipino youth who aspires and strives hard to become a sports hero one day.

Pacquiao wants vigorous and tangible support coming from the government for professional boxers and contact sports competitors.

He expects a smooth passage of the proposed measure at the Lower House as many of the lawmakers there pledged to adopt the Senate version of the proposed PBCSS.

If finally signed into law, the proposed PBCSC will be composed of a chairman and four members and will be placed under the administrative supervision of the Office of the President.

Under the bill, professional boxers and contact sports combatants will be enrolled in the Social Security System (SSS), National Health Insurance Program-Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig).

Aside from requiring physical and medical examinations in all professional boxing and combat sports tournaments, the bill mandates the provision of sustainable alternative livelihood support projects for retired or injured boxers and combatants.