AUGUST 11, 2011 DATE

NR # 2492C
REF. NO.

Dragon Boat team to get cash rewards from lawmakers

The 20-member Philippine Dragon Boat Federation team (PDBF) that won five gold and two silver medals in the 10th annual World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Florida, U.S.A. will receive P1.4 million cash reward from members of the House of Representatives. In a privilege speech the other night, Rep. Rodolfo Albano (1st District, Isabela) made a motion urging fellow lawmakers to contribute P5,000 each for the members of the Philippine Dragon Boat teams training and development. The motion, which was also endorsed by Rep. Amado Bagatsing (5th District, Manila) was unanimously approved by the 285-member body. The P5,000 cash grant to the team will come from the 285 congressmen and will be deducted from their monthly salaries. Albano said in the midst of celebrating the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation teams victory, many Filipinos were saddened after realizing the numerous hardships of the PDBF members. Albano said the PDBF members had to sell plastic bottles and other recyclable materials just to be able to raise money that would sustain them while training. Nangunguha sila ng tahong sa Manila Bay at iniihaw ito para makain habang sila ay nagte-training, Albano said. Albano said only the Asia Brewerys Cobra Energy and Philippine Airlines (PAL) and some individuals supported the teams financial needs to include their plane tickets and food What is pathetic was that our PDBF team, upon reaching Florida, had to beg, literally, for rice, water and kitchen utensils from our fellow Filipinos in the area, Albano said. Fortunately our Filipino compatriots there responded and supplied them with food and water, they even pooled their resources and gave allowances to the team members, Albano added. Albano said the very cause of the hardships of the PDBF team is the absence of support and recognition from the Philippine government. This glaring absence of support from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) drew quick criticisms and condemnation from the public, Albano said. Albano said there are people from various quarters who are asking the Philippine Amateur Track and Field President Go Teng Kok, POC President Jose Cojuangco and PSC Chairman Richie Garcia to resign out of delicadeza for their stubborn refusal to support the PDBF team.

AUGUST 11, 2011 DATE

NR # 2492C
REF. NO.

There are also mounting calls for a congressional inquiry into the adamant rejection of the PSC and POC to acknowledge the PDBF as a national team, and the scrapping of financial support for the teams athletes has begun, Albano said. Albano said the root cause of the issue is that based on reports in 2010 the POC asked the PDBF members to undergo time trials as a condition for the teams participation in Guangzhou Asian Games. But when the team broke existing winning times set in Asian championships, Col. Jeff Tamayo, POC chief representative at the trials in La Mesa Dam however doubted the results of the trial as the paddlers were incredibly fast, Albano said. Further citing the non-support of sports officials, Albano said Cojuangco came out with a statement that the dragon boat now belongs to canoeing while Garcia said the PDBF is still a member but it will function under canoe-kayak. Albano said Garcia even cited an International Olympic Committee (IOC) memo which states that the dragon boat event is under the discipline event of Canoe-Kayak. Albano said a congressional inquiry into the issue will further expose the hardships endured by the members of the PDBF after they were refused financial support and recognition as national athletes. I also believe that an inquiry can lead to the passage of remedial legislation to correct the improper treatment of our athletes especially unsung heroes like members of the PDBF who have been reaping medals over the years for the honor of our country, Albano said. Albano also said that POC and PSC officials should be questioned on the issue now that they are scheduled to appear before the budget hearings. The PDBF mens team won two world dragon boat championships in 2007 and 2009, and the mixed team was named world champions in 2009. The mens team is composed mainly of retired members of the Philippine Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and some civilians. Recently this August 8, 2011 the tri media and even the Internet were swamped with reports of the PDBFs victory. The world championship event was participated in by 50 teams from 18 countries. In part 1 of the event, the team defeated Japan, Trinidad and Tobago with a time of 2:38 to qualify for the finals. Ultimately, the team defeated Australia, Japan, Italy and Puerto Rico in the finals. In winning the 500-meter event in the mens small boat division which is the last race at the world championships the PDBF bagged a total of seven medals five gold and two silvers that brought joy, honor and pride to the Philippines. (30) jy