PHILRACOM Long Term Project : “Nurturing The Local Horse Breeding Industry”

The Commission  invited  respected stakeholders of the breeding industry last April 30, Monday, 2:00 pm at the PHILRACOM Board Room. The Committee tagged as “Philippine Race Horses Breeding Committee”  was formally constituted with the objective as per subject heading and be part of the group to discuss this important direction.

The PHILRACOM is preparing for the eventual operation of the third race track which was awarded with a “Congressional Franchise” and is now in its final phase of construction at Malvar-Tanauan, Batangas. One imminent and alarming assessment will be the shortage of runners due to the current state the horse racing industry is into particular to the population, production and attrition of runners.

With this shortage, The Commission is inclined to support imported runners only for a period that is needed  to shore up the numbers. Then the Commission will be concentrating on its original mandate to import only mares and stallions to “improve the breed of the local horses”.

Highlight of the meeting was the “Power Point” presentation featuring  the details of the project. Also discussed were the evaluation of our local horse racing and breeding industry based on five (5) year statistics  and the sustainability of the runners for viable operation for the Racing Clubs.

Present during the meeting were Honorable Chairman Angel L. Castaño, Jr., Hon. Jesus B. Cantos, Hon. Reynaldo G. Fernando, Hon. Victor V. Tantoco, PHILRACOM officers Atty. Ricardo Angeles, Jr.,  Dr. Peter Rojas  and  Dr. Jose Noel Danao,  PHILRACOM Consultant Dr. Romeo Buencamino,   MJCI Officials headed by Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno, Jr. and MJCI Racing Manager Mr. Jose Ramon Magboo,  PRCI Officials led by Atty. Ramon P. Ereñeta, Jr. and Mr. Rommel Fernandez,  Metro Manila Turf Club (MMTC) representative  Atty. Alexander R. Carandang, respected horse owners/breeders Mr. Herminio S. Esguerra,  Mayor Leonardo M. Javier, Mr. Emmanuel A. Santos,  Former PHILRACOM Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez,  PHILTOBO President Mr. Bienvenido C. Niles, Jr.,  Klub Don Juan President Mr. Ferdinand Dimaisip, MARHO representative Atty. Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr.,  ACS Farm representatives Mr. Mandy Carlo Sanchez and Ms. Brenda Guerrero, and other representatives of prominent horsebreeders such as Dr. Panfilo Oliva for former PHILRACOM Chairman Ochie Santos and Mr. Jose “Peping” Santos,  with ex-jockey Mr. Renato “Egoy” Hipolito for Don Antonio Floirendo.  

The program was presented by Hon. Jesus B. Cantos which is actually part of the whole Plans and Programs  of the Commission tagged as  “Road Map for 4Q 2011 and Beyond”.

The next step will be the formation of a Working Committee composed of Sectoral Representatives to arrive at a proposal which will be recommendatory in nature for the Board of Commissioners to assess, resolve and implement.