Hapal on signing MoA with Patriot athletes: Needs-based assistance, for accountability
To address unseen student-athlete concerns—ranging from clogged sinks and hazardous training grounds, down to the lack of training spaces—the University Student Government (USG) initiated a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) last September with the key people of the Patriots and the Performing Arts Group (PAG).
“Kahit before MoA pa, before pa magkaroon nito, same lang din naman ‘yung mga sentiments namin, at least sa sport po namin… Ang kaibahan lang po ngayong may MoA is nare-raise namin ‘yung mga concerns namin nang ayos. Although hindi pa naman po talaga fully namin—on our end—nare-receive ‘yung support, at least man lang naire-raise namin ‘yung mga gusto namin sabihin, ‘yung mga concerns,” said Patriot tanker captain Francesca Rae Musni in an exclusive interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO.
Meanwhile, remarking on the importance of the MoA, USG President Abigail Hapal mentioned in an interview that their initiative goes beyond financial boundaries—typically USG’s primary means of assisting athletes—as the MoA covers the Patriots’ needs in the matter of delivering equipment and addressing other systemic concerns.
“It’s also for accountability ng USG kasi for the longest time, ang nangyayari lang is that magbibigay lang ng finances si USG, magta-transfer lang siya ng funds… That’s why, what’s different now is that we have a MoA—si USG na mismo ‘yung magpo-process ng mga specific na kinakailangan so that diretso sa kanila [athletes] ‘yung suporta… What’s different now is [it’s] needs-based assistance,” Hapal stated.
Following the joint agreement, the USG noted that they have been in contact with the Patriots to provide their needs, whether material or financial. As per the General Appropriations Act for the first semester of the academic year (AY) 2024–2025, the slated budget of 100,000 pesos for the Sports Development Act (SDA) served as a stepping stone to pursue the MoA.
Despite the existing 11th Act of Congress aimed at supporting athletes, Hapal claims that there are still disparities not covered by the act, particularly when it comes to sports prioritization, hence the creation of the agreement to further support athletes.
Interim Secretary for Sports and Recreation Felix Audije also noted their first step in assisting student-athletes. Last November, a consultation took place between the two parties, during which issues from different teams were raised, such as the frequent disturbance of woolly caterpillars or “higad” and mosquitoes during training in the Mariano Trias Hall (MTH) court; faulty faucets and lockers in the Ugnayang La Salle (ULS); and the shortage of support whenever they are pushed to train outside of the University.
“For now po kasi, ‘yung mga reports na sinabi po nila [ay naka]-prepare na po [sa] letter ko. [They] only need to be checked and to be signed na lang po, which I [then] need to send to the admins para i-report,” said Audije.
Audije also added that the report has been present since 2022, and he hopes to submit it to the University administrators by the first two months of 2025.
The request letter was penned by the student-athletes, and the USG’s Department of Sports and Recreation is currently in charge of managing the necessary signatories and coordinating with the involved offices.
Regarding the sustainability of the project, Hapal noted two steps they can take: the current administration can task Congress with amending the 11th Act of Congress or establish an executive order for future terms. However, she emphasized the discretion of the next administration while also lobbying for the initiative in the years to come.
Originally published in Heraldo Filipino Volume 39, Issue 1
