MANILA, Philippines – Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday urged the government to strengthen its sports development program that would support aspiring Filipino athletes.
The statement came after Go filed the Philippine National Games (PNG) Act of 2022, which seeks to institutionalize grassroots sports programs, providing athletes an equal opportunity to participate in international competitions and secure the country’s status as the “Sports Powerhouse in Asia.”
“Malaki ang tulong ng sports sa pagdevelop ng ating kabataan (Sports are a big help in youths’ development). They are taught the values of discipline and hard work. At the same time, we are complementing our efforts of keeping them away from illegal drugs and crime and making them productive citizens of our country,” Go said in a statement.
“As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am one with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in highlighting the importance of sports in nation-building. I reiterate my firm commitment to always look after the welfare of our athletes and to push for long-term and grassroots sports development,” Go added.
Aside from the institutionalizing grassroots sports program, the proposed bill aims to address the “long-standing problems of Philippine sports in general.”
It will “address other Olympic and Asian Games sports, which have proven to give the country more medals in international competitions, but are not regularly included in Palarong Pambansa or any other sports programs in the country.”
The PNG, among others, shall:
- Serve as the government’s premier national sports competition to be held once every two years; encourage all local government officials to promote the development of sports in the countryside;
- Serve as a venue for the National Sports Associations in promoting their respective sports at the grassroots level;
- Widen the base for talent identification, selection, and recruitment of athletes that shall constitute the national pool to be trained for international sports competitions.
With the proposed bill, various concerned agencies such as the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, local government units, Philippine Olympic Committee, National Sports Associations, and local sports councils are mandated to participate in its implementation.
Under the Republic Act No. 10588, the Palarong Pambansa and other local sports competitions organized by the local government units or the private sector shall serve as a feeder and preparatory sports program for the PNG. – Nicole Faye Agcaoili, INQUIRER.net trainee
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