SEN. Bong Go has called for increased government funding for sports development and tougher action against game-fixing in professional leagues, saying Filipino athletes need sustained support to compete internationally while sports organizations must protect the integrity of their competitions.
During the Oct. 14 hearing on the proposed 2027 budgets of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Go said the small allocation for sports development in the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) is not enough to prepare Filipino athletes for international competitions.
He said the Department of Budget and Management approved P1.3 billion, or about 6 percent of the PSC’s proposed P21-billion budget, for inclusion in the NEP.
“This PSC budget in the NEP represents only 0.018 percent of the P7.2 trillion national budget, and yet we expect our athletes to perform in international competitions,” he said.
Sustained investment in sports was important to improving the country’s performance in international competitions, Go said.
He also urged the GAB to intensify its efforts against illegal gambling and game-fixing in professional sports.
He called on organizers of professional leagues to closely monitor their competitions and coordinate with the GAB, which has regulatory and disciplinary powers over professional sports.
JAVIER JOE ISMAEL
He warned that sports fans could lose interest in leagues perceived to be tainted by game-fixing, potentially affecting public support for professional sports.
