Renowned Cebuano sportsman Edward Hayco, a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), visited Tarlac Province on March 7, 2023, and initiated a meeting with sports pillars from some Tarlac educational institutions to discuss the grassroots program proposal.
Tarlac State University sports head Dr. Ligaya Gina S. Salangsang attended the said meeting at the Bulwagang Kanlahi, along with the Department of Education Tarlac City and Tarlac Province Schools Division sports coordinators Ms. Gene E. Manalo and Dr. Noel Linsao and some coaches from the Tarlac City Private Education Institutions Association (TCPEIA).
Commissioner Hayco's vision for the grassroots program, which he presented during the meeting, is anchored on the idea that sports could be a transformational tool for students, especially those from public schools.
He pitched that the PSC, in partnership with the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA), can provide trainers to hone the skills and character of public school athletes through the grassroots program. Eventually, these student-athletes could land sports scholarships in private schools.
Meanwhile, Dr. Salangsang took the opportunity to request from the Commission a training program for TSU and DepEd schools coaches that could help beef up the province's sports program and student-athletes.
Commissioner Hayco was invited by Tarlac Province Governor Susan Yap as the guest of honor in the ballroom dancing and dancesport competition of the 7th Kanlahi Festival. He is known as the "Father of Cebu Dancesport" and has served as the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) chairman for more than ten years. The Commissioner
He was appointed as a PSC commissioner last December 2022.
