All news tagged SenateCommitteeonSports

HOW CAN WE DEMAND WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCES WHEN OUR NATIONAL ATHLETES ARE STILL WAITING FOR BASIC FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

Serious questions have been raised during a Senate budget hearing over delayed training allowances for members of the Philippine women's national volleyball team.

Senator Bong Go questioned reports that some athletes have not received their allowances for TWO MONTHS, emphasizing the importance of providing timely support to those representing the country.

But the issue goes beyond delayed payments.

₱270 MILLION IN UNLIQUIDATED PNVF FUNDS!

According to Commission on Audit Supervising Auditor Jeorge Roman Lozano, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has an outstanding ₱270 million in funds awaiting liquidation.

PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio also pointed to administrative complications following three leadership changes within the federation since 2025.

Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas men's team captain Bryan Bagunas previously revealed that some players had to borrow money just to attend training sessions.

LET THAT SINK IN.

Athletes preparing to represent the Philippine flag reportedly had to borrow money simply to train!

BUT HERE'S THE BIGGER QUESTION: WHY SHOULD ATHLETES CARRY THE BURDEN OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS THEY DID NOT CREATE?

Delayed allowances and unresolved financial documentation are separate issues that both require attention.

The reported ₱270 million in unliquidated funds does not automatically establish misuse of public money, but it demands proper accounting, transparency, and timely resolution.

ATHLETE WELFARE MUST NEVER BECOME COLLATERAL DAMAGE IN ORGANIZATIONAL DISPUTES OR BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS!

National athletes already sacrifice time, energy, and personal resources to compete for the country.

They should be focused on training, recovery, and competition — not repeatedly following up on financial assistance.

Gregorio expressed hope that newly installed PNVF President Frank Lao could help resolve the situation.

But moving forward, the priority must be clear:

TIMELY ALLOWANCES. TRANSPARENT ACCOUNTING. CLEAR RESPONSIBILITIES. STRONGER ATHLETE PROTECTION.

THE PHILIPPINE FLAG SHOULD REPRESENT PRIDE AND OPPORTUNITY — NOT FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY FOR THOSE WHO WEAR IT!

If we want better international results, we must also provide reliable support behind the scenes.

ATHLETES SHOULD TRAIN TO WIN MEDALS — NOT STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR TRAINING! 

What happens when world-class athletes are forced to train in facilities that are anything but world-class?

That question is at the heart of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s push for stronger government funding for Philippine sports infrastructure as the Senate tackles the proposed 2027 national budget.

The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development, called for adequate funding to upgrade and modernize training facilities, stressing that Filipino athletes need more than talent and determination to compete at the highest level.

The senator has repeatedly raised concerns over the condition of sports facilities, including the need to improve major training venues such as the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and PhilSports Arena. In previous budget deliberations, he pointed to the importance of providing athletes with proper training environments, equipment, nutrition and other forms of support.

During the 2027 budget discussions,Senate Committee Chair on Sports and Youth Development Bong Go raised concerns over funding for sports infrastructure, including changes involving convergence funds previously lodged under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The discussion puts the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and other agencies at the center of the question of how sports facilities will be funded and developed moving forward.

For Sen. Go, the issue goes beyond buildings and playing surfaces. A champion needs somewhere to become a champion.

Training halls, gyms, equipment and athlete facilities form the foundation of preparation long before an athlete steps onto an international podium.

Sen. Bong Go has also pushed for bringing quality sports training closer to young athletes outside Metro Manila.

His advocacy includes expanding access to the National Academy of Sports (NAS) through regional campuses, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, so promising athletes would not have to relocate simply to access specialized sports education and training.

The proposal reflects a broader push to strengthen the grassroots pipeline and give athletes from the regions greater opportunities to develop their skills.

The Philippines has repeatedly shown that Filipino athletes can compete—and win—against the world's best.

But the next generation needs more than inspiration. They need facilities. Equipment. Training centers. Coaches. Support.

And as Congress works through the proposed 2027 spending plan, the debate over sports funding puts a fundamental question on the table: If the Philippines expects world-class performances, can its training facilities be allowed to fall behind?

For Go, the answer is clear: investment in sports infrastructure must be part of building the country's next generation of champions.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and sponsor of the proposed budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), renewed his call for the regionalization of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) during budget deliberations on last Monday, November 24.

Go stressed that keeping the NAS concentrated solely in Luzon—specifically in its main campus in New Clark City, Pampanga—limits grassroots development and sidelines promising young athletes from the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Nag-file rin po ako ng bill para ma-regionalize ang NAS,” Go said, referring to his recently filed measure aimed at decentralizing the academy in line with the intent of the law that created it.

Go noted that while NAS operations are fully funded—citing an additional ₱294 million in the committee report, including budget for a new dormitory—geographical accessibility remains a major barrier for student-athletes outside Luzon.

He emphasized that expansion does not require constructing brand-new facilities, pointing out that many local governments already have sports infrastructures capable of hosting NAS satellite campuses.

“Sana ay ma-regionalize ito… at malagyan rin po sa Visayas at Mindanao,” he said, adding that several LGUs in Mindanao have already expressed willingness to host equivalent NAS setups.

During the hearing, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano underscored the need for continuity in national sports planning and aligning programs with international hosting opportunities. Go agreed, stressing the importance of proactive planning.

A long-time advocate for athlete welfare, Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which established the NAS and introduced a dual-track system combining secondary education with specialized sports training. The academy provides full scholarships to student-athletes pursuing both academic and athletic excellence.

To widen access to this model, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, which seeks to establish NAS campuses across the country—particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao. These regional campuses would uphold the academic and athletic standards of the main campus while ensuring equitable opportunities for rising sports talents nationwide.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, reaffirmed his full support for the budgets of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Games and Amusements Board (GAB), and the Philippine Racing Commission (PhilRACOM) — emphasizing that sustained investment in sports is key to building a generation of disciplined, healthy, and world-class Filipino athletes.

Speaking during a budget hearing, Go highlighted how government backing has already translated into historic success for the Philippines on the global stage.

“Since 2019, when I chaired the Committee on Sports, we won our first-ever Olympic gold in Tokyo through Hidilyn Diaz,” Go said. “And just last year, Carlos Yulo captured two more gold medals in Paris. These victories prove that strong government support leads to results.”

Go noted that despite these triumphs, sports funding remains minimal — only 0.004% of the national budget in 2024. He stressed the need for consistent increases to sustain the country’s progress in international competitions.

“We expect our athletes to perform like world champions, but our support must match that expectation,” Go added. “That’s why we fought to raise PSC’s 2025 budget to ₱1.3 billion.”

Investing in Facilities and Regional Training

The senator also underscored the importance of upgrading sports infrastructure, including athlete dormitories and training centers at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and Philsports (ULTRA).

He proposed the regionalization of sports training centers so that athletes from provinces no longer have to travel to Manila for proper training.

“Let’s bring sports closer to the people,” Go said. “The Philippines is big. We need regional centers to discover and develop talent nationwide.”

He also cited the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City — co-authored by Sen. Win Gatchalian — as a model that allows student-athletes to train and study simultaneously.

Boosting Sports Tourism and Hosting Global Events

Go praised the country’s recent hosting of major international tournaments — including the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, and the upcoming WTA Women’s Tennis Open — noting their positive economic impact and contribution to national pride.

“Hosting world-class events helps promote tourism and shows our capability to the world,” Go said. “We’ve proven that Filipinos can organize events with excellence and passion.”

Supporting Athletes and Fighting Game-Fixing

Beyond funding, Go emphasized the importance of moral and institutional support for athletes, ensuring they can focus solely on competition. He also called on the Games and Amusements Board to intensify its crackdown on illegal gambling and game-fixing, warning that such practices destroy the integrity of sports.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has renewed his call for the creation of a Department of Sports, calling it long overdue during the Senate Committee on Sports’ first public hearing of the 20th Congress. 

Go emphasized the need for a dedicated department to address the limited budget and resources currently allotted to sports, noting that the PSC only received significant funding increases through congressional intervention.

“Kung titingnan mo sa budget, napakaliit ng (budget) share ng sports talaga. Kaya nga sana, kung kakayanin maging departamento ito,” Go said. 

Go added that given the meager sports budget, it is high time this was done: “Napapanahon na po talaga, at sobrang liit ng natatanggap ninyo.”

Go argued that enhanced government investment is essential to support Filipino athletes’ international success and strengthen grassroots sports development. He cited the country’s first Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 and the double gold haul in Paris 2024 as proof that sustained support yields results.

“Kaya naman nagdagdag tayo ng budget para maging PhP 1.2 billion ang budget ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) noong 2024,” Go pointed out.

Go also highlighted the wider societal impact of investing in sports, saying it helps protect the youth from drugs and vices while fostering national pride and inspiration. 

“We expect our athletes to perform in international competitions. Kapag nanalo sila damay po ang buong bansa sa honor na dala nila,” Go underscored.

“Makikita naman natin na sulit ang pagsuporta sa ating mga atleta.” “Dati po, since 2019, kulelat tayo sa gold. Sa Olympics, wala tayong gold, naalala ko. Huli tayong silver noong 2016, I think, and before that, 1996 iyung silver na pinakamataas na nakamit natin sa Olympics,” Go added.

“Napapanahon na po talaga,” Go said, underscoring the urgency of establishing a Department of Sports.

“I firmly believe that investing in sports does more than building champions. It protects our youth from drugs and harmful vices while also nurturing world-class athletes who bring pride, honor, and inspiration to our nation,” Go concluded.