POC to work with DOH for set up of dope-testing center

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping" Cojuangco, Jr. on Thursday said the Olympic body is working closely with the Department of Health for the possibility of setting up a drug testing center in the country. Cojuangco said DOH secretary Francisco Duque III has expressed his readiness to support the creation of the said facility which intends to eradicate drug cheats in sports. Under the present set up, the Filipino athletes will have to send blood samples to China or other countries accredited by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) for testing. The plan was discussed Monday when the DOH secretary mediated a dialogue between feuding officials Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping. The DOH secretary has also declared his willingness to help athletes on their medical needs, including free hospitalization through the use of Philhealth accredited hospitals. “The meeting was fruitful because it also opened the doors for a possible tie up between the POC and the DOH. The creation of a drug testing center and the medical benefits to our athletes will be a big boost to our sports development and we will make a study and come up on how we can realize these projects," said Cojuangco. He also described his breakthrough meeting with Angping as very cordial and that signs are good that the PSC and POC can finally work together. “The important thing is to have better communication. There is room to make better arrangement between the POC and PSC and so we’ll see," said Cojuangco. The POC boss hopes to have another round of talks with all parties before the end of April and hopefully sign a Memorandum of Agreement that he said will lead to the betterment of Philippine sports. –GMANews.TV