The consolidated House Bills aiming to institutionalize the Philippine National Games got the needed boost as the Commission of Appropriation approved its proposed P200 million budget.
Batangas 1st District Representative Eric Buhain, vice chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, announced that the commission during last Wednesday’s hearing with the Department of Budget in attendance, approved to fund the PNG as the government’s centerpiece national sports competition.
“Ako po ang naatasan ng ating House chairman on Youth and Sports Cong. Michael Dy na sponsoran ‘yung House Bills sa Committee on Appropriation and I’m happy to announce na nakapasa na po ito. Kailangan na lang itong pumasa sa third reading at iaakyat na namin sa Senado,” said Buhain.
“Napakaimportante nitong PNG, ito talaga ang magiging showcase ng ating mga mahuhusay na atleta. Sariling version ng Olympics, lahat ng mga National Sports Association puwede nang isabay ‘yung kani-kanilang national selection. Lahat puwedeng sumali,” added Buhain, a two-time Olympian and Southeast Asian Games swimming record holder.
Buhain said the said fund will be included in the budget to be received by the Philippine Sports Commission from the General Appropriation’s Act.
“Subsequently, doon namin ilalagay sa budget ng PSC sa GA. Multi-department ang involvement sa PNG dahil nandiyan ang AFP at DepEd among others, but still ang workforce pa rin sa Philippine Sports Commission with the help of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the National Sports Associations.
“Ang maganda nito, permanente na ang PNG, hindi tulad sa kasalukuyan magkakaroon tapos mawawala. Besides, mako-compel ang mga Local Government Units na gamitin ang kanilang resources dahil magiging regular na ito sa kanilang sports program,” said Buhain.
He added the institutionalization of the PNG will have a big effect on the NSAs as support to sports will increase.
“Mas magkakaroon ng malalim na pool of talent ang mga NSA dahil matibay na na ‘yung grassroots program,” said Buhain.
The former sports chairman from both the amateur and professional agencies said he is confident that the bill will turn to law as the Senate, led by Senator Bong Go, already has pending version of the said bill.
“Maraming supporters ang sports sa Senate, nandiyan din sina Senator Tol Tolentino, Migs Zubiri, Joel Villanueva and Sonny Angara,” added Buhain.
The House decided to consolidate House Bills 934, 1954, 2986 at 4881, which propose measures and plans to institutionalize the Philippine National Games.
Leyte Fourth District Rep. and HB 934 author Richard Gomez said that the consolidated bill, which will be titled the Philippine National Games Act of 2022 underscores the role of LGUs in the promotion of sports, where Filipino athletes excel, such as billiards, bowling, fencing, weightlifting, shooting, rowing.cycling, gymnastics, track and field, volleyball, archery, badminton, boxing, football, taekwondo, karate, jujitsu, judo, golf, table tennis, tennis, baseball, and softball.