Budget cut leaves PSC with only P27M in 2006

The Philippine Sports Commission might be forced to do more with less next year.

Already working on a very tight budget, the government sports agency received some bad news last week that the Department of Budget and Management has allocated a measly P27 million for the PSC next year.

The PSC, which looks after the welfare of the national athletes, is working on a P70 million budget this year with P30 million being earmarked for renovation of some SEA Games venues.

Over the past three years, the PSC budget has been dramatically reduced - from P130 million in 2003, P107 million in 2004 and P70 million this year.

The budget from Congress pays for the salaries of PSC officials and employees. It’s also supposed to take care the agency’s grassroots program, which was partly shelved this year due to budget constraints.

With its meager budget, the PSC has undertaken belt-tightening measures, letting go of a big number of consultants and contractual employees and finding ways to cut down on water, electricity and other expenses.

Chairman Butch Ramirez of the PSC said there’s no need yet to push the panic button since the allocation still needs the approval of Congress. He has filed an appeal before Congress.

Obviously, Ramirez is hoping for a positive and favorable response.

"Hindi ko muna pino-problema yan. Ayoko na ngang tingnan eh until I go to Congress and discuss it with them. But whether we have a big budget or we have more money, it’s always a problem of management," said Ramirez.

"Kung sakaling wala kaming pera diyan, may pera kami sa NSDF," he added, referring to the National Sports Development Fund, which is the hand that feeds the close to 50 national sports associations (NSAs).

The NSDF represents the monthly contributions to the PSC of generous government institutions and agencies like the Philippine Games and Amusements Board or the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Pagcor alone doles out a monthly contribution of at least P20 million to the PSC.

Ramirez said in case the DBM allocation stays, the PSC will have to look for other ways to raise money.

"This office is mandated by law to raise funds. And if we have a good program and we are credible we can always attract money. But we will fight that budget in Congress," he said.

"We already sent our appeal to Congress," said the PSC chief, adding that a further reduction of the budget will make it harder for the agency to help achieve the goal of winning the elusive gold medal in the Olympics. — Abac Cordero