Marcos amenable to PHI-NADO having more staff to comply with Anti-Doping Code

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is amenable to granting the request of the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) to hire more personnel to effectively implement its anti-doping activities, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Sunday.

PHI-NADO is the country’s accredited anti-doping organization under the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

PSC chairman Richard Bachmann and executive director Paulo Francisco Tatad recently had a meeting with Marcos in Malacañang wherein they apprised him of the Philippines' compliance with the World Anti-doping Code (WADC).

The PSC proposed the institutionalization of PHI-NADO to ensure compliance with the Code and in preparation for the upcoming World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) audit.

“We need to be independent in terms of operational decisions and activities as provided by the World Anti-Doping Code [Article] 20.5.1 granted to the NADOs, without limitation by prohibiting any involvement in operational decision or activities, at the same time involved in management or operations of the federations, the major event organizations, the national olympic committee, the national paralympic committee, government departments with responsibility for sports as well. So, operational independence from the said entities,” Tatad said.

Last May 2023, House Bill No. 7927 was filed which called for the creation of PHI-NADO attached to the PSC. The bill is still pending with the House's Committee on Youth and Sports Development.

"This would entail the creation of plantilla positions for the PHI-NADO and allocation of a separate budget. For 2024, the PHI-NADO has an estimated budget requirement of PhP40.87 million for its operational expenses," the PCO said.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, in the same meeting at Malacañang, said PHI-NADO may use the funds under the PSC while waiting on their request.

“In the meantime, you can work already for the additional positions under PSC just for transition while waiting for the Executive Order,” Pangandaman said. —KG, GMA Integrated News