MAY 3, 2012 DATE

NR # 2728B
REF. NO.

Bagatsing proposes welfare mechanism for Filipino boxers

A lawmaker is pushing for the passage of a bill establishing a welfare mechanism for Filipino boxers for consistently giving honor to the country. Rep. Amado Bagatsing (5th District, Manila) said House Bill 5793 seeks to institute a system of welfare protection for professional boxers including athletes in the Olympics participating in boxing sports. This measure is in acknowledgement and gratitude for all the efforts our boxers have made in giving honor to the country, said Bagatsing, Chairman of the Committee on Games and Amusement. Bagatsing cited the 1987 Constitution, particularly Article 2, Section 17, which provides that The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. The proposed Boxers Welfare Act of 2012 would provide for compulsory insurance coverage to all Filipino international boxers who shall automatically be enrolled and may thereafter avail of health services under the National Health Insurance Act. Under the bill, professional boxers shall become members of the Social Security System (SSS) and the Pag-Ibig Fund, subject to existing laws. Likewise, promoters of professional boxers shall also insure their boxers against accidents or other risks before any bout or event shall take place. Furthermore, the bill also provides for scholarship grants to children of international boxing champions or medalists in the Olympics, coverage shall extend to the tertiary level of education until the completion of the entitled child even if he reaches the age of majority. The bill also provides for the establishment of a databank and registry of all Filipino international boxing champions and medalists in Olympic bouts which shall be administered by the Games and Amusement Board. Bagatsing said any donations, grants, contributions in cash or in kind coming from domestic or foreign sources, the GAB is authorized to accept as such and shall be exempt from any taxes subject to existing laws on donations and contributions. Bagatsing noted that recently a young boxer, Karlo Maquinto, was brought to the medical center in West Fairview in an ambulance after figuring in an eight round majority

MAY 3, 2012 DATE

NR # 2728B
REF. NO.

draw, when he suddenly collapsed on the mat after the fight, and was declared dead after a few days of being comatose. A few years back, the Mandaue City government has extended assistance to boxing champion Z Gorres who was in a coma at a hospital in Las Vegas after he collapsed in the ring after winning the bantamweight division fight. These two boxers, who suffered injury during and after the fight, have brought miseries not only to themselves but to their families as well. Though their promoters have extended assistance for their medical needs, these were not enough in as much as these boxers were the breadwinners of their families and therefore a welfare mechanism is in imperious need, Bagatsing said. (30) dpt