PSC asks NSAs to submit budget

Starting tomorrow, the Philippine Sports Commission will begin a series of consultations with the country’s different National Sports Associations regarding their respective budget proposals for next year.

A total of 34 NSAs and other sports bodies recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee will submit their programs, schedule of activities and budgetary requirements for international exposures, national tournaments, training and equipment.

The budget proposals will be accepted until Friday at the office of Commissioner Richie Garcia, who is in charge of NSA Affairs. The proposals will be forwarded to Chairman Butch Tuason for approval by January.

"May nasusunod, may nababawasan. Minsan may nadadagdagan. It really depends on their needs," said PSC information officer Arsenic Lacson. "That’s why they are being asked to submit their budget proposals... for the PSC to know their exact needs."

This year, the PSC allocated a total of P130 million to the different NSAs with athletics getting the biggest budget of P8.8 million, followed by boxing with P6.1 million, and softball, shooting and football with at least P5.4 million.

Taekwondo, wushu, basketball, cycling, fencing and traditional boat race received at least P4 million each and bowling, gymnastics, judo, karatedo, lawn tennis, pencak silat, swimming, volleyball and wrestling P3 million. Aerobics was last on the list with P300,000.

"This year’s P130 million allocation was not bad," said Ramon Suzara of the NSA Affairs office. "But what we’re hoping for right now is that Pagcor (if and when it is privatized) maintains its support to the PSC of close to P20 million a month."

The NSAs must realize that they cannot get a bigger budget for next year and therefore, must be more objective in prioritizing their programs, especially since next year is a SEA Games year, meaning they will have to spend more.

"The number of athletes they will send to the SEA Games must be studied well. And the more they can save on their budget, then it’s good for them. Maybe they can send more athletes to Kuala Lumpur," Suzara added.