Palace says it has ‘limited resources’ to fund sports

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government claims that it has a limited budget for sports and is asking the private sector to shoulder the expenses to assist in funding athletes.

Communications secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said that, with the limited funding the government has, they shall prioritize supporting sports where they believe the country has a competitive edge.

Coloma also stated the government is giving its other projects more priority, such as alleviating poverty and giving care to the less fortunate. 

“Ang problema ay ‘yung paglalaan ng kaukulang pananalapi dahil limitado po talaga ang resources ng pamahalaan. Batid naman po natin ang prayoridad ay sa pagbabawas ng kahirapan, pagbibigay ng pagkahinga sa mga mahihirap at mga nangangailangang sektor,” said Coloma.

(Our problem right now is the government has limited resources for sports. We also know that it is our government’s priority is to alleviate poverty, give care to the less fortunate and other sectors who are in need of help.)

(READ: Filipino Winter Olympian’s family mortgaged home for ticket to Sochi)

To make sure the government utilizes the limited allocation that they have for sports, President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino suggests the country should give a huge chunk of the fund to sports where the country has an advantage.

Coloma mentioned boxing as one of them, emphasizing the track record of the Philippines when it comes to the sport which produced Olympic medalists like Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco (1996 Atlanta Olympics) and his brother Roel Velasco (1992 Barcelona Olympics).

“Kaya sa simula’t sapul po ang pananaw ng Pangulo ay mag-focus sa mga sports na mayroong competitive advantage ang Pilipino; ‘yung pwede tayo talagang makipaglaban sa medalya at makapagdulot ng karangalan. Sa kanyang palagay ‘yan ang dapat bigyan ng dagdag na resources.” said Coloma.

(The President thinks we should focus on funding sports where the Filipinos have a competitive edge; sports where we could really compete for medals and give glory to the nation. The President thinks we should give additional resources to those sports.)

This comes after Coloma said the Palace was unsure whether to give lone Filipino Winter Olympian Michael Christian Martinez a bonus for placing 19th in the men’s figure-skating competition in Sochi, Russia.

Public-private partnership for additional support

So what about our countrymen who would like to compete in other sports but are short-handed or lacking in budget?

The Palace suggests drawing support from the private sector for these sports, citing people could help fund athletes if they will join hands.

“Doon naman sa mga ibang larangan ay pwede rin namang himukin ang private sector na patuloy na sumuporta dito. So tulong-tulong lang po ang nakikita nating solusyon. Kung pagtutulungan po ng sambayanan, magbibigay tayo ng suporta sa mga mahuhusay na atleta katulad ni Michael Martinez at iba pa.”

(In other sports, we can ask the private sector to continue supporting these fields. The solution is joint effort. If the entire nation gives support then we can help fund great athletes, like Michael Martinez among others.)

As a possible solution, Coloma stated public-private partnership could give the sports sector a lift.

“Siguro pwede natin pairalin diyan sa larangan na ‘yan ‘yung konsepto ng public-private partnership dahil malaki naman ang pakinabang na maaaring makamit din ng mga pribadong organisasyon.”

(What we can do is a public-private partnership, since private organizations have always given ample support.)

Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan is among those in the private who have given help to many national teams. He is known for his support for Gilas Pilipinas, the men’s national basketball squad, and funding amateur boxers in international contests. MVP’s TV network TV5 was also responsible for airing the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

He recently announced via Twitter that he would be giving Michael Martinez a $10,000 bonus.

Coloma added that, in the past, companies would volunteer to sponsor athletes and sports programs, which is another idea the government is eyeing to help get additional support for the nation’s sports programs.

“Yung mga nagpo-promote ng mga health and energy products, natural na ang kanilang mga endorser ay mga matagumpay at mga mahuhusay na atleta. At naalala ko ‘nung mga nakaraang panahon, mismong mga kompanya talaga ang tuwirang nag-i-sponsor ng mga sports programs at ng mga outstanding athletes.”

(Those who promote health and energy products, their endorsers are successful athletes. In the past, companies volunteer to sponsor sports programs and outstanding athletes.)

– Rappler.com