MANILA: A lawmaker on Friday urged the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to request for a higher budget allocation of at least PHP2 billion for its amateur sports development program in 2025.
In a statement, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera said it is timely for the PSC to request a budgetary increase for its amateur sports development program while the country is “still in euphoria” over the Olympic medal harvest and individual performances.
“Ngayon pa lang, dapat samantalahin na ng Philippine Sports Commission ang pagkakataon, habang nagdiriwang pa ang sambayanan sa mga medalyang nakamit na sa Paris Olympics, upang pataasin pa ang basic and meal allowance rates ng mga atletang nasa pangangalaga ng PSC (The Philippine Sports Commission should take this opportunity, while the country is celebrating the medals won during the Paris Olympics, to ask for higher basic and meal allowance rates for athletes under the care of PSC),” Herrera said.
As of Friday, the Philippines bagged two gold a
nd two bronze medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, placing 26th overall.
Herrera said the basic and meal allowances for athletes should be substantially increased, noting that the lowest rate should be between PHP25,000 and PHP30,000.
“Panahon din upang bigyan ng sapat na suporta ang maraming iba pang atleta na hindi pa nananalo ng medalya sa international competitions dahil kapos na kapos ang pondo kahit para man lang sa kanilang araw-araw na gastusin (It is time to give substantial support to other athletes that haven’t won any medals in international competitions because of the lack of funding, even if it’s just to cover their daily expenses),” she said.
She said the PSC’s amateur sports development program has a proposed budget of only PHP413 million.
“That is too small. If we really want to win more medals in international competitions. That budget should be at least PHP2 billion in 2025 and every year after that, aside from the increases in the basic and meal allowances,” she said.
“There is no re
quest for capital outlays in the proposed PSC 2025 budget. There should be, especially if the PSC wants the Philippine National Games to be more successful. Speak now. Do not wait for the next Olympics,” she said.
Herrera also highlighted another measure that aims to support young Filipino athletes by establishing a sports voucher system that they can use for their training or for buying sports equipment.
House Bill 8495, entitled ‘An Act Strengthening Local Sports Programs to Develop Young Athletes,’ also provides funds to sports clubs, organizations or associations accredited or recognized by the PSC.
House Bill 8495 has been approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives.
Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio bagged the bronze medal in the women’s 57kg of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time).
Petecio’s bronze is the fourth medal for the Philippines in the ongoing Summer Games after Carlos Yulo’s two gold medals in men’s artistic gymnastics and Aira Villegas’ bro
nze in the women’s 50kg in boxing.
Source: Philippines News Agency