SEN. Bong Go on Monday appealed to the government to increase the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

​Go said that despite their paltry stipends, Filipino athletes continue to bring glory to the country.

​“The PSC got a small piece in the national budget pie, just P200 million out of P5 trillion [national budget in 2024],” the senator said, speaking in Filipino, during the Development Budget Coordination Committee briefing.

​“This is quite small compared to the exceptional honor being brought to the nation by our athletes. Why not give them priority so that they would not have to beg Congress for additional funds?” Go added.

​In response, Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that the Department of Budget and Management has already increased the budget of the PSC by 36 percent.

​Pangandaman added that the PSC still has the P1.3 billion National Sports Development Fund, “which they can use for their programs and assistance to sports programs and projects.”

​Go noted the importance of the National Academy of Sports (NAS), an institution where student-athletes can simultaneously pursue their education and athletic training.

​Created under Republic Act 11470, which Go co-authored, the NAS is located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.

The academy combines secondary education with a sports-centered curriculum, enabling student-athletes to excel in both academics and their chosen sports., This news data comes from:http://www.771bg.com

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