THE consolidated House Bills aiming to institutionalize the Philippine National Games (PNG) got the needed boost as the Commission of Appropriations (CA) approved a proposed P200 million budget.
Batangas 1st District Representative Eric Buhain, vice chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, announced that the CA during its hearing last Wednesday with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in attendance gave its stamped approval to fund the PNG as the government centerpiece national sports competition.
“I was tasked by our House chairman on Youth and Sports, Cong. Michael Dy, to sponsor House Bills in the Committee on Appropriation and I’m happy to announce that these bills have passed,” Buhain said. “These only need to pass on Third Reading before they’re elevated to the Senate.”
“The PNG is of utmost importance because this is where our athletes showcase their talents,” said Buhain, a two-time Olympian and Southeast Asian Games swimming record holder. “This is our version of the Olympics where the national sports associations can hold their respective national team selection.”
Buhain said the fund will be included in the budget received by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) from General Appropriations (GA).
“Subsequently, the budget will fall in PSC in the GA. Multi-departments are involved in the PNG … there are the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Education, among others, but still the workforce are the PSC with the help of the Philippine Olympic Committee and NSAs,” Buhain said.
He added: “What makes this significant is that the PNG will be permanent and local government units [LGUs] will be compelled to use their resources for a regular sports program.”
Buhain said the institutionalization of PNG will have a big effect of the NSA as supports to the sports will rise in an exponential rate.
“The NSAs will have a deep pool of talent from a strong grassroots program,” he said.
The former PSC and Games and Amusements Board chairman said that he is confident that the bill will turn to law as the Senate, led by Senator Bong Go and former lawmaker Manny Pacquaio, have a pending version for the bill.
“Sports have many supporters at the Senate, we have Senator ‘Tol’ Tolentino, Migs Zubiri, Joel Villanueva and Sonny Angara, “Buhain added.
The House decided to consolidate House Bills 934, 1954, 2986 and 4881 which propose measures for funding and plans that will institutionalize the PNG.
Leyte Fourth District Representative and HB 934 author Richard Gomez said that the consolidated bill, which will be titled the Philippine National Games Act of 2022, underscores the role of LGUs in the promotion of sports which Filipino athletes have been excelling in such as billiards, bowling, fencing, weightlifting, shooting, rowing, cycling, gymnastics, track and field, volleyball, archery, badminton, boxing, football, taekwondo, karate, jujitsu, judo, golf, table tennis, tennis, baseball and softball.