Senator Bong Go reiterated his firm support for Philippine sports development as he vowed to continue to push for more investments in such programs particularly in the grassroots through local government units and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), underscoring the importance of sustained government backing for elite and aspiring athletes.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, said he welcomes the recent developments which would allow the PSC to access more funding through the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).
Aside from the annual budget it receives through the General Appropriations Act (GAA), the PSC is expected to receive additional financial resources through remittances from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and other government agencies.
This comes after a Supreme Court ruling ordered Pagcor and PCSO to remit the full 5% share of their gross annual income to the PSC, as mandated by law. Reports estimate that the government sports agency stands to receive an additional P5 billion under the NSDF–funds that will be used to support the training and participation of Filipino athletes in major international competitions such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics.
The legislator took pride in the country’s athletic milestones achieved under his tenure as Senate Sports Chairperson. The lawmaker recounted how the Philippines clinched its first Olympic gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics-shortly after he assumed the chairmanship in 2019-and went on to win two more golds in the 2024 Paris Games.
“Proud lang po ako. Dati wala tayong gold sa Olympics,” the senator said. “Naging Chairman po ako ng Committee on Sports 2019, sinuportahan natin ang ating mga atleta at nakamit natin ang first ever gold sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At ngayon naman, nakadalawang gold tayo sa 2024 Paris Olympics.”
“Get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit.”
“As an advocate of sports, we should also further advance sports development in the country, especially in the grassroots, so that aspiring young athletes can be given the opportunity to improve their skills and, hopefully, eventually produce more Olympic medalists who will bring honor to our country. That is why I keep encouraging fellow Filipinos, especially the youth, to get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” Go underscored in his proclamation speech recently.
He played a key role in creating the National Academy of Sports (NAS) by authoring and co-sponsoring Republic Act No. 11470. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS combines secondary education with a sports-focused curriculum, offering a dual path for student-athletes to excel in their sports and academic endeavors.
As the sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, Go has been instrumental in securing support for the country’s sports development. He advocated for the repair and improvement of key sports facilities, such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, believing that providing athletes with proper training environments, equipment, nutrition, and mental support is essential for their success.
Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
“We must ensure that they are fully supported, not only during competitions but also in their preparations leading up to these events.”
“Our athletes have continuously brought pride and honor to the country. We must ensure that they are fully supported, not only during competitions but also in their preparations leading up to these events,” he emphasized.
Go added that investing in sports also serves as an investment in youth development and nation-building, as it helps steer young Filipinos away from illegal drugs and other harmful vices.
True to his long-standing advocacy of “Get into sports, stay away from drugs, to keep us healthy and fit,” Go said he will continue to push for policies and funding support that uplift Philippine sports and empower athletes to reach their full potential on the global stage.
“Isang beses lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kaya anumang tulong ang pwede nating ibigay sa kapwa, o anumang karangalan ang pwede nating ialay sa bansa, ay gawin at ibigay na natin ngayon,” he concluded.
