Senate reso seeks to congratulate PHL dragon boat team

Senator Francis Pangilinan has filed a resolution seeking to congratulate the Philippine dragon boat team for topping the 1,000-meter small boat event of the biennial 10th International Dragon Boat Racing Championship in Tampa, Florida. "The Philippine Dragon Boat team has brought to our country honor and recognition by displaying superiority and excellence in the international competition. For that they deserve no less than our respect and support," Pangilinan said in Senate Resolution 547. The Philippine dragon boat team won five gold medals and two silver medals as they dominated five rowing events and set two new world records, besting countries such as Australia, Hungary, Italy, Trinidad and Tobago.

The Philippine team is composed of men and women from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Air Force. But aside from congratulating the team, Pangilinan also urged the Senate committee on games, amusement, and sports to look into the process by which athletes are given support by the Philippine Sports Commission. "It is unfortunate that we continuously hear about Filipino athletes performing superbly and displaying excellence despite the lack of government support. Our athletes are giving our nation honor and recognition, and they bring hope and exceptional aspirations to our people. It is about time the government’s concerned agencies give their complete and unqualified support to our athletes," he said. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News