SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian, moving to ensure unhampered operations for the National Academy of Sports (NAS), pressed for more adequate funding support for the sports community in the P5.268 trillion 2023 budget.”
Singling out its Sports-Integrated Secondary Education Program (SISEP), the senator-sportsman proposed to augment the NAS program’s proposed budget of P88,113,000 by P57,481,000 for a total of P145,594,000.
Gatchalian pointed out that the budget for the SISEP covers the monthly stipends for incoming Grade 7 students, provision of nutritious meals, and students’ participation in competitions, among others.
He added it also “covers benchmarking that will enhance road mapping and help make NAS become a leader in sports development.”
Recalling that the program earlier faced a looming P104-million-cut, the senator warned this “could affect the academy’s efforts to attract students, especially from the countryside.”
Gatchalian, co-author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11470, which created the NAS System, clarified they simply seek to ensure delivery of the expectations of the sports community to deliver honor to the country.
“Tinitiyak natin na matutupad natin ang ating pangako noong isabatas ang paglikha sa NAS—ang mabigyan ng kaukulang suporta ang ating mga atleta at pagtibayin ang ating suporta sa sports dito sa ating bansa,” the senator said.
At the same time, he clarified that “under the law, the NAS System is mandated to implement a quality and enhanced secondary education program, integrated with a special curriculum on sports.”
The senator also assured it will offer full scholarships to natural-born Filipino citizens with considerable potential in sports, clarifying that the NAS curriculum seeks to help student-athletes excel in their respective sports or pursue their chosen careers.
As enacted into law, he adds the law likewise seeks to establish “nationally funded regional high schools for sports to boost the development of young athletes in other parts of the country.”