Senator Christopher “Bong” Go came with an all-out support to the proposed budgets for the three agencies – Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Games Amusements Board (GAB) during the Senate Committee on Finance Hearing on Proposed Budget 2022 held September 27, 2021.
In his manifestation presented during the hearing, Go, the Chairman of the Senate Community on Sports, stated that all three agencies are vital in helping shape up the nation with the PLLO, vital in promoting the Presidential legislative initiatives, policy reforms and development programs; the PSC and GAB on much needed budgetary support in keeping up with the country’s sports program afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Chair, distinguished colleagues, and all our guests from various government agencies, short manifestation lang po. Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat.
I would like to express my full support to the proposed budgets of the three agencies that are here with us today – the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Unang-una, suportado ko po ang PLLO dahil sa kontribusyon nito sa pag-coordinate at pag-unify ng Ehekutibo at Kongreso sa pagpasa ng iba’t ibang importanteng batas na nais isulong ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte. The PLLO is vital in promoting the Presidential legislative initiatives, policy reforms and development programs by tirelessly working with Congress in making these matters a reality.
Pangalawa, suportado ko rin po ang pagbigay ng kaukulang budget sa PSC at GAB. As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and as a passionate advocate for sports development in the country, I believe that investing in sports will not only allow our country to develop more world-class athletes who can bring pride, honor, and medals to our country, but will also help us in keeping our youth away from illegal drugs and other harmful vices.
Sa katunayan, ito po ang aking hangad noong isinulong ko ang Republic Act No. 11470 upang buksan ang National Academy for Sports sa New Clark City para sa mga kabataang atleta. At meron na pong nag-enroll sa school year na ito sa tulong na rin po ni Sen. Pia Cayetano na mapabilis at mabuksan ngayong taong ito ang National Academy for Sports.
Mr. Chair, let me point out that the PSC and GAB need budgetary support from us now, more than ever, as they are finding it difficult to keep our sports program afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the deliberation of last year’s budget, I advocated for the inclusion of PhP100 million, which was later on increased to PhP250 million. This was necessary to support our athletes’ preparations for the Olympics and other international events. Similarly, I also supported the allocation of an additional PhP7.945 million budget for Paralympics preparations. Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa mga kasamahan natin sa suporta para sa mga ito.
Outside the budget deliberations, I also sought assistance from the private sectors to help finance the training of our promising athletes. Bukod po dito, tumulong din ako sa pag-apela sa ating gobyerno na maisama ang ating mga Olympians sa COVID-19 vaccine priority list noong panahong kaunti pa lang ang ating bakuna upang maging ligtas sila sa pag-eensayo at pakipaglahok sa Tokyo Olympics.
Mr. Chair, nagbunga naman po ng maganda ang ating pagbigay ng sapat na budget sa ating mga atleta. For the first time ever, nagkaroon po tayo ng kauna-unahang gold medal, kasama na po ang dalawang silver medals at isang bronze medal. Napakalaking karangalan po ito para sa ating bansa. Through our efforts, the Philippines became the top performing country in Southeast Asia in the recent Tokyo Olympics.
Kaya naman po hinihimok ko ang ating mga kasamahan na suportahan ang budget ng PSC at GAB para tuluy-tuloy lang po ang sports development sa ating bansa. For these reasons, I have no objections to the proposed budget, at kung pwede pa pong dagdagan ay dagdagan pa po natin.
Ako po ay natutuwa dahil nagagamit ng husto ang pondong ipinagkaloob sa ating mga ahensya noong nakaraang taon despite the limited budgetary resources. This year, I am sure that our agencies will likewise utilize the budget prudently and wisely for the benefit of our nation.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
