PRRD SUPPORT FOR SPORTS. Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go delivers his message during Games and Amusements Board (GAB)-sponsored Philippine Professional Sports Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 24, 2019). Go assured full support of President Rodrigo Duterte to the development of sports. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA -- No less than two of the biggest supporters of sports in the country -- Senators Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go and Sonny Angara -- will bridge the gap between the government and the professional sports community.
Go and Angara made the assurance before officials and athletes of various professional sports during the first Philippine Professional Sports Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (Sept. 24).
Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, assured the full support of President Rodrigo Duterte in promoting the welfare of athletes and upholding the status of professional sports.
"Makakaasa po kayo na sa huling tatlong taon ni Pangulong Duterte, kasama na kami sa Senado, ay patuloy na maisusulong ang ating mga programa sa ikauunlad ng sports at ikabubuti ng atletang Pilipino (You can be assured that in the last three years of President Duterte, including us in the Senate, will continue to push programs that will improve sports and for the Filipino athletes’ welfare),” Go told a big crowd that included Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham "Baham" Mitra and Commissioners Mar Masanguid and Eduard Trinidad.
"Parang kapitbahay lang po ninyo kami. Maaari nyo kaming lapitan anumang oras para sabihin kung ano pa ang ating magagawa para matulungan ang sports (We’re like your neighbor. You can come to us anytime to air what you want us to do to help sports),” added Go, an avid basketball player himself.
Go said the creation of the National Sports Center for High School in New Clark City in Tarlac will help in the development of young and talented athletes.
"Mabuti yung habang nag-eensayo ay patuloy na nag-aaral ang ating mga atleta (It is better for them to study while training as athletes)," he explained.
Angara, on the other hand, said he will continue to support local sports development through the necessary legislation in the Senate.
He said the Senate has already approved the increase in the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) from PHP180 million to PHP230 million and the GAB from PHP78 million to PHP140 million.
The 47-year-old lawmaker from Aurora Province, who also chairs the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), said he will also push the establishment of more world-class sports facilities all over the country.
"Nasimulan na po natin ang pagbibigay ng suporta sa grassroots level. Pero kulang na kulang pa din tayo sa mga sports facilities kumpara sa mga karatig nating bansa gaya ng (We already started giving support at the grassroots level. But still it is not enough. We lack sports facilities compared to our neighbor countries like) Vietnam, Thailand at Singapore," said Angara, who authored the "Athletes Incentives Act".
"Sa Singapore, may 21 sports centers sila habang dito sa atin sa Pilipinas ay may 2 lamang na kaya mag-accommodate ng 10,000 or less. Wala din tayong public golf courses maliban sa mga military camps (In Singapore, they have 21 sports centers while here in the Philippines, we have only two that can accommodate 10,000 or less. We also don’t have public golf courses except in the military camps),” he added.
Angara also assured the Senate’s full support through close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission and GAB.
He said the Senate is studying proposals to raise the monthly allowances of national athletes who continue to bring honors to the country.
Among the notable personalities who attended the first day of the summit were PBA legend William "Bogs" Adornado, billiards hero Efren "Bata" Reyes, football idol James Younghusband, IBF minimumweight boxing champ Pedro Taduran, PBA coach Johnedel Cardel, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and technical head Eric Castro. (PR)
