The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Rose de la Cruz
Had it not been for the Olympic golds won by the Philippines in France, legislators would continue to ignore funding sports, especially amateur sports competitions and athletes.
In a statement, Rep. Bernadette Herrera suggested that the Philippine Sports Commission budget for amateur sports should be higher at least P2 billion, while the Paris Olympic euphoria is still high.
Ngayon na ang tamang panahon para umusad ang mga matagal nang nakabinbing mga panukalang batas tungkol sa sports. 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, she said.
Sa wakas, nasa bicameral conference phase na ang Philippine National Games Act o House Bill 8468. Sana naman, susunod na ang amendments to the Philippine Sports Commission Act (HB 8390) at ang Local Sports Program bill (HB 8495).
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, she stressed.
She suggested that the PSC should push for higher budget now for an across the board increase for basic and meal allowance rates and those of allowances for vitamins and medicines.
“Strike while the iron is hot” is my timely and urgent advice to the PSC so those basic and meal allowances will be substantially increased. I believe the lowest rate should be P25,000 to P30,000, so the PSC should aim for that and adjust all other rates upward. They should ask now while we are still in euphoria over the Olympic medal harvest and the individual performances, Herrera said.
The PSC’s amateur sports development program’s proposed budget of only P413 million is too small. “If we really want to win more medals in international competitions, the budget should at least be P2 billion in 2025 and every year after that, aside from the increases in the basic and meal allowances.”
There is no request 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.