PSC working out plan to push sports as NEDA priority in 2004

If things work out as planned, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will be one of the priorities of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in 2004.

PSC chairman Eric Buhain said the sports agency is working out an effective plan to get sports as one of the many priorities of NEDA, a government agency tasked to formulate the country’s economic policy and implement it through the different agencies.

"We’re praying that this works out because the PSC would benefit greatly from this in terms of budgeting," Buhain told The STAR during the awarding of cash incentives to the Busan Asian Games medalists Monday.

"This is really important to the agency’s sports development plan," he added.

The PSC may also need the backing of no less than President Arroyo herself but with her busy schedule and the problems besetting the country, its doubtful if the agency would get it.

Buhain explained that it would take the agency and NEDA about six to eight months to work out a short-term plan, estimated to last three to five years.

"Originally, we want a long-term plan pero saka na lang ‘yon, ang importante mai-ayos muna ito," said Buhain.

If plans push through, NEDA will lobby in behalf of the PSC for its annual share of the government budget, thus taking the burden off the agency.

"Aside from budgeting, the PSC has a chance of availing itself of ODA," added the former veteran internationalist referring to the Official Development Assistance – commonly known as foreign aid -- mainly from Japan.

Buhain said a group has already been assigned to coordinate with NEDA, which assigned its Director IV Nap Imperial to work with the PSC and facilitate the plan.

The same group is also preparing an outline of the agency’s sports plan for next year, one of the requirements sought by NEDA.

Among the projects lined up by the PSC for 2003 are the Palarong Pambansa, the Commission on Higher Education Games, the Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy and the Regional and National Games.

These projecs are all planned to be staged annually.

The country will also be busy preparing for the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in December next year. The PSC is also setting its sightson the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece and RP’s hosting of the SEAG in 2005.