People run around the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on July 31, 2025.
Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) explained on Thursday why the schedule for public use of its track and field facilities start only in the afternoon.
PSC officially opened its track and field ovals in Manila, Pasig and Baguio on Tuesday, allowing Filipinos to use its facilities daily for free from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
PSC Chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio told ABS-CBN News the schedule aims to give way to the training of national athletes, which is usually in the morning.
"If these facilities are available, all we have to do is identify anong oras ba nag-training ang national team, ang mga national team ng track and field, triathlon, duathlon, boxing, and all other sports. And iwasan lang natin yun," he said.
READ: PSC officially opens track and field facilities to public
"That is the reason why we said, 'Okay, from 3 pm to 10 pm every day, you can now enjoy the facilities of the track oval, walk alone, walk with your family, walk with your lolo and lola, and it's for free,'" Gregorio added.
When asked if there is a possibility of opening a morning schedule on weekends, Gregorio said there are still national athletes who train during these days.
"Sana po maunawaan ng mga kababayan natin. Saan ba po tayo nanggaling? Di ba po nanggaling tayo sa exclusive use? Ngayon po, binuksan natin para sa kanila. Pero hindi po talaga pwedeng maantala at ma-bother yung focus training ng mga national athletes natin, lalo na may parating na Southeast Asian Games," he said.
"So, mahirap naman po na habang nagte-training yung mga athletes natin, masyadong marami yung tao. Ihiwalay na lang po natin. I hope they understand because we believe it's tama naman po na we also give priority to our national athletes. So, I beg for their kind understanding," Gregorio added.
The PSC chief said they were still fine-tuning their operations given the complications, rules and arrangements that need to be done to change the schedule.
READ: PSC tasked to open track ovals to encourage Filipinos to be more active
He believes the current schedule is the right balance for both the national athletes and the public.
"Humihingi po ako ng pag-unawa sa ating mga citizens na parating na po ang SEA Games sa Disyembre sa Thailand, 1,600 athletes po ang papadala natin. Tayo po, ay palagay ko naman po yung 3 pm to 10 pm ay magandang simula na kasi hindi naman gabi pa yun para sa mga kabataan na galing sa eskwelahan, pwede na pumunta roon, 3 pm to 5 pm, tapos yung mga galing sa opisina 6 pm to 10 pm," he said.
Gregorio said they immediately heeded the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
The President directed the PSC to open its facilities to the public to encourage more Filipinos to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle.
"We did that because it's the instruction of our dear President Bongbong Marcos. We have to also take care of our citizenry. Ilan ba yan? 112 million Filipinos. They need to exercise," he said.
"Hindi yung puro nasa cellphone lang yung mga bata. Hindi yung puro gadgets lang yung mga bata," Gregorio added.
PSC TO WRITE TO LGUS
The PSC chief said he would write to local government units that have existing track and field facilities to open these to the public if they haven't already.
"We will coordinate with the LGUs involved. We received a recommendation that we reach out to the good governor of Negros [Occidental] for them to be able to use Panaad. Nakita po namin yan," Gregorio said.
"Susulat po ako kagad kay Governor [Bong] Lacson. I am sure the good governor will consider that. Siguro iku-consider rin nila yung training ng atleta nila, pero maybe we can do the same," he shared.
Gregorio is currently in Siargao to meet with national teams there and discuss with local officials the PSC's plans to boost sports tourism.
"Dito po, nung sinamahan po ako ni Governor Lyndon Barbers dito sa Siargao for our meeting, nakita ko po may track oval sila. And they allow, they allow po. Ang alam ko po, ang Marikina, they allow also," he said.
"So, yes, we will encourage and we will request all other LGUs to please consider the same. Considering napakaganda po talaga ng beneficio nito para sa ating mga mamamayan," the PSC chief added.
When asked about more Filipinos entering their "running era," Gregorio said this is a welcome development in pursuing their goal to develop a healthy citizenry.
"Realization ko yan. I walk around the UP Academic Oval. Talagang hanggang alas 10 ng gabi, may tumatakbo, may naglalakad diyan kasama ang pamilya, kasama si lolo, si lola, kung minsan kasama pa ang aso, di ba? Talagang it's fun to watch. So yan po ang itataguyod natin buong bansa," he said.
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