After victory, Rep. Pacquiao urged to push for pending House bill

As the House of Representatives prepares the hero’s welcome for the new World Boxing Council super welterweight division champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, one of his colleagues now await his chance to work with him and push the bill they filed. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño on Monday said now that Pacquiao is set to return to work, he would ask him to pursue their bill establishing barangay fitness centers all over the country. “Now Rep. Pacquiao can get back to his second love, that is, being a public servant. With him back, we can jointly pursue new policies to benefit the people, especially the poor, like House Bill 2830 that seeks to establish community fitness centers in every barangay," Casiño said in a press statement. Authored by Casiño, Pacquiao and Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, HB 2830 – or “An Act Providing for the Establishment of a Community Fitness Center in Every Barangay Nationwide and Appropriating Funds for the Purpose" – has been pending with the Committee on Youth and Sports Development since September 1, 2010. In their explanatory note, the lawmakers said that HB 2830 advances the Constitutional mandate for the State to promote physical education and encourage sports programs to foster self-discipline, teamwork and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry. They said the collective health of the people affects to a great extent the success of the country’s overall socio-economic development. “The state of health and mental fitness of every person are controlling factors on the ability to take advantage of education, technical capabilities and business entrepreneurship. One method of maintaining our physical and mental health condition is by involving our citizens in physical fitness activities and sports programs," they said. The fitness centers will be under the supervision of the municipal or city health officer and shall provide physical fitness programs, trainings and sports activities, including free seminars to would-be physical fitness leaders and trainors in the barangay. “There shall also be a full time fitness instructor who will manage the center," Casiño said. Funding for the initial implementation of HB 2830, if enacted, shall be charged to the appropriations of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The continued operation and maintenance of the community fitness centers shall subsequently be included in the annual budget of the city or municipality where the community fitness center is located. P200,000 to welcome Pacquiao In another development, An Waray party-list Rep. Florencio Noel, House accounts committee chairman, said the House members gave a total of P200,000 for the food for Pacquiao’s welcome party. He admitted the amount collected was more than enough to pay for the bills as he assured that the House will shell out nothing for the celebration. “More than enough na ang money, pwede pa itong magpa-feeding sa mga bata sa Payatas (This money is more than enough, we can even use it for a feeding program for Payatas kids)," Noel said. He added some of the lawmakers even shouldered the payment for other expenses such as the band, drinks and dinner. Pacquiao, based on a prepared schedule, will have a press conference at the South Wing annex lobby of Batasang Pambansa Complex from 3 to 3:30 p.m., walk the red carpet, and proceed to the South Lobby where he will be welcomed by the Secretariat. At 4 p.m., the session will start and the first order of business will be the conferment of the Congressional Medal of Distinction to Pacquiao. A medal and a copy of House Resolution 625 will be given to Pacquiao, unlike in the previous Congresses where only a copy of the resolution was handed out. Pacquiao is expected to deliver a two to three pages thank you speech. Other lawmakers can also deliver their own speeches. The chamber will then end its session. Sandwiches and drinks will be distributed to the staff and employees of the House while the food of the House members will be served by Albergus. - KBK, GMANews.TV