Senator Bong Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, strongly urged government agencies to channel more resources toward sports infrastructure and related facilities instead of infrastructure projects that he described as having little to no direct benefit to the public and often becoming opportunities for corruption.
Speaking during the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go emphasized the need for a shift in public spending priorities. The veteran legislator pointed out that the budget allocated for flood control over the past three years could have been used to build much-needed facilities that would directly serve communities.
“Sana ‘yung paggamit ng pondo sa infrastructure — instead na gamitin sa mga flood control na wala namang taong nakikinabang, nilalagay sa mga lugar na walang katao-tao — sa sports facilities na makakatulong… gawing dormitoryo, repair po ng ating pasilidad dahil ‘yung iba d’yan napakatagal at ito talaga ay makikita ng mga kababayan natin, mapapakinabangan ng mga kababayan natin,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
The senator continued by stressing the urgency of constructing essential infrastructure such as evacuation centers and health facilities, citing an existing law that mandates their prioritization.
For him, these types of projects respond directly to the needs of communities and safeguard lives during disasters.
“Parati ko nga sinasabi, in line with the law, ito pong Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, batas na po ito ngayon na mabigyan rin po ng prayoridad ‘yung mga evacuation centers,” Go explained, noting that the legislation already provides a clear framework for prioritizing such projects.
He then contrasted this mandate with the billions of pesos funneled into flood control initiatives. Go pointed out that if the same amount had been spent on disaster resilience, health, or social and sports infrastructure, the tangible results would have been transformative.
“Kung ‘yung ginamit na pondo po sa flood control for the past three years ay 60,000 evacuation centers na po pwedeng gawin.”
“Kung ‘yung ginamit na pondo po sa flood control for the past three years ay 60,000 evacuation centers na po pwedeng gawin, 80,000 health centers na po ang pwedeng gawin dito,” he said.
To drive his point further, Go highlighted the potential gains for the sports sector, which he believes has been overlooked in favor of projects of questionable value.
“At ilan pong mga pasilidad ng sports ang magagawa ng mga flood control projects na ito. At talagang ito, may tao talaga na makikinabang po – ang ating mga atleta,” he added.
“Sana dun po bigyan ng prayoridad ng gobyerno, instead of itong mga flood control na wala pong kapaki-pakinabang at ginagawa pong gatasan ng ilan.”
Go also expressed frustration over how some of these flood control projects are being used, saying, “Sana dun po bigyan ng prayoridad ng gobyerno, instead of itong mga flood control na wala pong kapaki-pakinabang at ginagawa pong gatasan ng ilan.”
He underscored that investments in sports facilities–such as dormitories and the repair of existing venues–would have visible and lasting impacts on communities and athletes alike. Go urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to give priority to these projects, particularly the rehabilitation of facilities managed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and those at the New Clark City National Academy of Sports (NAS).
“Sana po ay mabigyan po ng prayoridad ng ating DPWH itong infrastructure ng sports… Aside from sa PSC facilities, pati ‘yung sa NAS, sa New Clark City,” Go said.
This is in response to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio’s remarks on the state of key sports facilities. Gregorio emphasized the urgency of fast-tracking the development and rehabilitation of venues, particularly the 91-year-old Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Addressing the persistent flooding that hampers its use, he reported that the PSC has already begun working with both local and national agencies to find lasting solutions.
Among the measures now being planned is the construction of large catchment systems beneath the baseball field and in front of the football field to redirect rainwater during heavy downpours. These engineering interventions, he said, will be carried out in close coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to finally put an end to the flooding that has long plagued the facility.
Gregorio assured Go that the PSC is in close coordination with the DPWH, now led by Secretary Vince Dizon, as well as the MMDA, to speed up the redevelopment of key sports facilities.
He stressed that the public can expect to see visible improvements soon, including the modernization of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the field sports facilities, and the training centers in Baguio.
Gregorio also gave his assurance that the PSC will carefully manage its resources to realize these plans and to sustain the development of Philippine sports for years to come.
