PSC seeks Palace help on SEA Games funding

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission has sought the help of Malacañang in covering the estimated P30-million shortfall in the PSC’s war chest for Team Phl’s actual participation in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

PSC chairman Richie Garcia and commissioner Chito Loyzaga met with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa the other day to seek assistance as the agency struggles to meet the P60-million overall budget requirement for a projected 650 to 750-strong delegation.

“We were only alloted P30 million by the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) for the SEA Games. But we will need P60 million in all so we asked Secretary Ochoa if they (Malacañang) can help us cover the P30 million,” Garcia said.

“We’re thankful that without thinking long, he told us they’ll try to find sources (for the funding). He instructed us to make this request formal so we’re already drafting our request letter, “ he added.

Additionally, Garcia said efforts are also being made to possibly tap private sector to chip in to the war chest.

According to him, the funding requirement for Team Phl’s stint in the Nov. 11-22 SEAG is tipped to be relatively bigger because the games will be held in two hubs 254 miles apart of each other.

“You have to consider that there are two venues, Jakarta and Palembang, which are located far from each other. We need to have two complete sets of full support groups – doctors, nurses, PTs – to attend to the athletes’ need. Same thing with the secretariat,” Garcia explained.

He promised there will be no junketeers in this foray.

“No junkets. Everybody who will go there will be part of a ‘working’ group,” Garcia said.