RICHARD “DICKIE” BACHMANN attended his first flag-raising ceremony as the 12th chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Tuesday and declared that national athletes’ allowances would always be released on time.
“No delays on the financial support that PSC provides the athletes,” he told PSC officials led by commissioners Edward Hayco, Olivia “Bong’’ Coo and Walter Torres during his speech after the morning exercise.
Bachmann—who’ll celebrate his 55th birthday exactly a week after he was sworn in as PSC head on Wednesday—stressed the athletes would always be his priority.
“If there is any delay in the [release of] allowances of any athlete, delay my salary, too,” he said. “Give me the names of those athletes, give me the names of the NSAs [national sports associations], and I myself will do the follow up for them.”
“Because, when I say that there is no delay in allowances, I’m going to make it happen,” he stressed.
Bachmann also bared his plan for the PSC to again provide free meals for national team members and encouraged the PSC workforce to approach him for suggestions.
“I work best when I am on the ground—talking and listening to people I am supposed to serve,” he said. “I would rather go to the athlete, and I also encourage our commissioners to do the same.”
He also assured the PSC family that they are part of his priority.
“You are my MVPs because of the work you do to support our athletes,” he told the PSC officials and staff who greeted their chairman happy birthday.
“I want to assure everyone that I am here to be of service. Period,” he said. “No personal agenda. I am here to serve our national athletes, the NSAs and the PSC organization.”