Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go urged the national government to ensure adequate funding for Filipino athletes and the repair and modernization of sports facilities, saying sports infrastructure should not be overlooked as agencies prepare their spending programs for 2027.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, raised the issue during the September 25 Senate deliberations on the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“I hope the DPWH could also consider the repair and rehabilitation of sports facilities. Iyon po ang napapansin ko, nalilimutan po yung pagbibigay ng prayoridad sa ating mga sports facilities,” Go said.
He pointed to aging facilities under the Philippine Sports Commission, including the PhilSports Complex and Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, where repairs and rehabilitation have repeatedly been necessary
Go said funding for sports remains small relative to the overall national budget and urged the government to provide athletes with facilities conducive to training and competition.
“Kumbaga sa pie, sa ₱7 trillion na pondo po ng gobyerno, parang icing lang yung pondo ng PSC or ng sports,” he said.
“Sana po’y kumportable naman po ang ating mga atleta. Sila po ang nagbibigay sa atin ng karangalan tuwing may mga sporting events sa ating bansa,” he added.
Go said athletes competing in major events should be able to concentrate on training and competition without having to worry about inadequate facilities and other basic needs.
“Dapat wala pong ibang iniisip ang mga atleta kundi to focus on their games, sa kanilang training. Dapat suportado sila ng gobyerno,” he stressed.
Go has repeatedly pushed for greater government investment in sports infrastructure, arguing in an earlier Senate sports hearing that public resources should be directed toward facilities that communities and athletes can directly use.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon assured Go that the department continued to coordinate with Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio on repairs to major sports facilities.
Dizon said work was continuing at Rizal Memorial, PhilSports—formerly known as ULTRA—and athlete dormitories.
“Pero tama po kayo, our athletes po need more support. Tututukan din po namin ’yan sa mga darating na buwan po lalo na po marami tayong iho-host na mga sporting events in the coming years, in the coming months,” Dizon said.
Go also sought assistance for sports infrastructure in Mindanao, including a swimming pool and soccer field at the University of the Philippines Mindanao in Davao City.
Dizon explained that the Department of Budget and Management had removed convergence budgets from DPWH for 2027, including those covering sports infrastructure, and placed the funding under the respective mother agencies such as the PSC.
DPWH, however, remained ready to provide technical and implementation support when requested by the PSC, Dizon said.
Go expressed concern over the arrangement and reiterated that the national government should ensure that sufficient resources ultimately reach sports facilities regardless of which agency holds the appropriation.
“Mapapakinabangan po ito ng mga atleta natin,” he said.
