Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili death: PSC to give P250K to their families
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will pledge a substantial cash sum to the families of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili following the sudden passing of the college basketball players on Monday.
PSC chairperson Pato Gregorio made the announcement in a press conference wherein the stakeholders’ panel formed by the sports agency discussed its early plans of action in addressing the drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora that led to the Ateneo players’ death.
READ: Rene Baterbonia: Only 2 Ateneo coaching staff gave statements on drowning incident
“Nag-usap kami ngayon na ang ibibigay ng Philippine Sports Commission (We discussed today that the money the Philippine Sports Commission will give) in partnership with all the government sectors present here today ay PHP250,000 para sa pamilya ni Rene at PHP250,000 para sa pamilya ni Divine. Yan po ang tulong ng gobyerno para ma-address natin yung pangangailangan ng mga pamilya ng nasawi (is PHP250,000 for Rene’s family and PHP250,000 for Divine’s family),” Gregorio said during a media briefing on Wednesday at the PSC Media Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
During the panel meeting, which was attended by all the members called up to form the group, immediate resolutions and priority actions were already formulated by consensus.
READ: PNP: Ateneo’s Baterbonia died of ‘asphyxia by drowning’
The panel first recognized the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) swift actions, including immediately conducting a fact-finding mission into the team-building activity where the tragedy occurred and providing psychosocial support and other services to the aggrieved families.
In a statement earlier Wednesday, CHED said its regional office for Metro Manila immediately mandated Ateneo the day before to submit a comprehensive incident report and also set a meeting with the university’s officials.
READ: Memories of Rene Baterbonia shared by his high school coach
“During the meeting, ADMU (Ateneo De Manila University) presented its immediate institutional response, while CHED established the framework for administrative review and directed the submission of additional documents and information necessary for a complete assessment of the incident,” CHED said.
“This tragic incident demands a thorough, impartial, and immediate examination of all circumstances surrounding the deaths of these students,” it added.
The stakeholders’ panel also agreed to support the Sports Coaching Act proposed at the congressional level by House committee on youth and sports development chair Mike Dy, which would establish a national registry and mandate licensing and certification.
READ: Rene Baterbonia drowning: Ateneo group 300 meters from resort, asked to be left alone – PNP
The panel will also establish robust safety standards, risk management protocols, and emergency response capabilities across all levels of sport, from grassroots to professional.
The PSC is also working with Philippine Life Saving to expand water safety education, certification, and preparedness programs for sports personnel.
“We cannot undo what has happened, but we can ensure that this loss is not without purpose. The most meaningful way to honor Rene and Divine is to commit ourselves to legacy reforms that build a sporting environment worthy of every athlete who entrusts their dreams to it,” the joint statement of the sports stakeholders’ panel read. (PNA)
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