THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, and Bangsamoro Sports Commission (BSC), led by Chairperson Nu-Man Caludtiag, strengthened their ties during a coordination meeting at the PSC office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila last Tuesday.

The two-hour meeting, which was attended by top officials of the two groups, is aimed at strengthening the relationship of the two parties through a cooperation agreement.

Ramirez said that part of the partnership is to continue the Mindanao sports for peace program of the Duterte administration.

“The core vision of Bangsamoro is easily a journey and I think it’s a celebration that during this administration, they’re almost there,” said Ramirez during a press conference at the PSC office.

“You have your own flag, your own vision, your own office not only in Mindanao but also in Makati and you are negotiating with other countries so there’s great hope,” added Ramirez.

Caludtiag, for his part, thanked Ramirez and othe PSC officials for their warm welcome.

“The BSC is here to foster and cement a strong and solid linkage with one of the country’s formidable institutions — the Philippine Sports Commission. Our goals and passion to build interest and develop Filipino sports is very similar. Just as PSC, the BSC is committed to transforming the Bangsamoro people into a healthy citizen through various commendable sports development programs,” said Caludtiag.

The BSC is the policy-making and coordinating body of all amateur sports development programs and institutions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and was created on September 17, 2020 through the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 12 or “The Bangsamoro Sports Commission Act of 2020”.

Ramirez was joined by PSC Women in Sports oversight commissioner Celia Kiram, who also expressed her support for BSC especially in starting their program on women in sports.

“I hope I can share you more and do something to encourage our Muslim women to be in sports. Marami at napakalaki po ng potensyal ng ating mga kababaihan.” said Kiram.

Ramirez and Kiram were joined by Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr., Deputy Executive Director Merlita Ibay of Bureau on Administrative, Finance, and Management Services, Acting Deputy Executive Director Anna Christine Abellana of Bureau on Coordinating Secretariat and Support Services, and Chief of Staff Marc Edward Velasco.

Caludtiag was assisted by Commissioner (Lanao del Sur) Arsalan A. Diamaoden, Commissioner (Tawi-Tawi) Abdulkhabir I. Musa, Commissioner (Basilan) Yushoup A. Sario, Commissioner (Sulu) Adzhar L. Tingkahan, and BSC Sports Consultant Emmanuel Rene Ayo.

Aside from the coordination meeting, the PSC-BSC top executives also conducted a tree planting activity in RMSC which is a symbol of friendship and stronger relationships in the future.

The BSC officials also toured the historic PSC-managed sports complex.