OCT.

19, 2011 DATE

NR # 2561
REF. NO.

Lawmakers want PSC to come up with safety measures for motorcycle sports
The House Committee on Youth and Sports has directed the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to come with implementing rules and regulations to prevent the occurrence of accidents in motorcycle racing and other sports. Rep. Renato Unico Jr. (1st District, Camarines Norte), chairman of the House body, told officials of PSC and representatives of various motorcycle racing organizations to adopt safety measures in this field of sports. We are not in any way interfering with the affairs of the National Sports Associations, we are only trying to enjoin everybody to work it out with the help of the PSC, Unico said. The House panel, prompted by House Resolutions 1284 and 1289, conducted a probe on the circumstances surrounding the death of national superbike champion Maico Greg Buncio at the Clark International Speedway on May 16, 2011. Cognizant of the studies that most sports-related injuries occur during practices rather than actual games, this incident has once and again brought into our attention the importance of injury prevention and safety on all levels of sports, Unico said. Appearing before the House body, PSC Chairman Ricardo Garcia assured the lawmakers that the agency and other stake holders will come up with the safety measures to address the occurrence of accidents in the speedway. Garcia identified the motorcycle groups and racing organizers as the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA) headed by Macky Karapeit, Yamaha Racing Group, Johnny Tan, operator and Executive Director of Batangas Racing Circuit and the Clark International Speedway. Clear implementing rules and regulations needed for the motorcycle races must be formulated together with the different parties, Garcia said. We will try to discuss and solve all problems being encountered at present, even the issues of conflict of interest, standardization of fees and charges and safety features of the race and tracks, Garcia said. Rep. Mark Aeron Sambar (Party List, PBA), one of the authors of the measure also appealed to bikers to only compete or train in safe and controlled race tracks. The committee is determined to bare out the truth, to make sure that somebody is answerable for negligence in the untimely death of this young boy (Buncio) and to prevent similar occurrences in the future, Majority Leader Rep. Neptali M. Gonzales II said. Let it be on record that in all events, whether official games or qualifying practices, an ambulance with a doctor should be visible within the area. The organizer should know the dangers of the game and should prepare for any eventualities and be a part of the mandatory prerequisite. An ambulance is just a car without a doctor, Majority leader Rep. Janette Garin (1st District, Iloilo) said. (30) jsc