Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 10) — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) eyes more funding to support athletes in international competitions, its grassroots programs, and a major infrastructure project.
In a hearing with the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, PSC Chairman Noli Eala says they are seeking an overall budget of ₱5.216 billion for 2023. The proposal is far from the ₱218 million endorsed by the Department of Budget and Management.
A big chunk of the proposed ₱4.998-billion budget will go to the Philippine Sports Training Center set to rise in Bagac, Bataan. The PSC allotted ₱3.795 billion for the sports hub that will serve as a training facility for national athletes. Eala said they are looking into the most efficient way to proceed, including exploring other possible sites.
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Eala also requested for more funds to support the preparation, training and participation of athletes in upcoming international competitions. He identified the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games, both happening next year, as “non-negotiable” since they need a budget of ₱250 million and ₱100 million, respectively. Eala said it’s important to find funding since we can no longer back out from both events.
“It has a big effect, your honor, on the participation of our athletes if these requests are not granted. These would sizably fund our athletes’ participation, training, participation and development for big international tournaments next year. If these requests are not granted, we will have to use our PH Sports Development Fund that will deplete our budget for other programs,” Eala told senators.
The PSC chairman stressed the importance of their initiatives aimed at developing the country’s grassroots sports program. It listed ₱300 million for its nationwide multi-competition “Batang Pinoy” for young athletes and ₱180 million for the Philippine National Games. Both events did not push through when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Eala said making sports accessible to Filipinos and the development of high-performance sports are among the priorities of the PSC in its 2022-2028 Philippine Sports Development Program.
He also expressed the PSC’s commitment to support the hosting of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas of the FIBA World Cup in August 2023.
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