Amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases, the Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list (PBA) has called on the government to ensure that health protocols are strictly enforced so that the country can continue to host international sporting events.
The neophyte lawmaker said the government should not be averse in emulating other countries that have already successfully held international events to “supplement the practices that already work for us.”
“Panibagong hamon na naman ang hinaharap natin sa muling pagtaas ng kaso ng Covid-19 sa bansa. Nanawagan tayo sa pamahalaan na siguruhing maayos ang implementasyon ng health and safety protocols nang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 sa mga sporting events na ginaganap sa kasalukuyan,” PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles said.
The Philippines is currently hosting the 2022 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Volleyball Nations League.
Next month, the country also welcomes ten countries participating in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship, which will be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna and the City of Imus Stadium in Cavite.
Nograles said that these events serve as a litmus test for the country’s readiness to hold international sports competitions.
“This is a test that we must pass, and we have to show that we are ready to live with the virus. We must show that we can host competitions without these being super-spreader events,” said the Davaoeña lawyer.
The neophyte lawmaker said the government should not be averse in emulating other countries that have already successfully held international events to “supplement the practices that already work for us.”
Nograles said that these events serve as a litmus test for the country’s readiness to hold international sports competitions.
Nograles also urged Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The government recently announced that it had reached its target of fully vaccinating 70 million Filipinos.
“Hinihimok natin ang mga kababayan nating magpabakuna para may mabisang pangontra tayo sa COVID-19. At sa mga fully-vaccinated na, isagad na po natin at magpa-booster tayo,” Nograles said.
