The Philippine Sports Commission hopes to draw additional funding out of the P208.5 million initially approved by the Senate and House of Representatives when the bicameral committee convenes in a budget hearing today.
“There is so much to do for next year because we have a lot of programs that need more financial support,” said PSC commissioner Eric Loretizo.
This includes the expenses to be set aside for the country’s early preparation and buildup for the 2012 London Olympics.
“We wanted to have a regular budget for our preparations for London, probably P30 million a year, so that our Olympic training will be funded continuously,” PSC commissioner Ritchie Garcia said.
Loretizo said the PSC needs additional budget next year because aside from the Olympics, the country will be preparing for the Laos Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Youth Games, a qualifier for the inaugural World Youth Games in Singapore in 2010.
“These events will help particularly in identifying potential Olympians,” said Loretizo.
The PSC got P240 million this year with the bulk going to the country’s campaign in the recent Beijing Olympics. – Joey Villar