POC lauds increase in PSC budget
What’s good news for the Philippine Sports Commission is also good news for the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Two days after President Arroyo called for a hefty increase in the PSC budget for 2008, the top POC officials yesterday welcomed the development by saying it couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We’re very happy because once this is approved by Congress, the new budget for the PSC will be released next year in time for the Beijing Olympics,” said POC president Peping Cojuangco.
“And we all know that in the months leading to the Olympics, our athletes need all the help they can get,” Cojuangco, who just returned from the
Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, the POC vice president and chief of mission of the RP team to the
“This is the best advance Christmas gift for our athletes. We are glad that after years of being treated unfairly in the House and the Senate, it has taken the President herself to show the way,” he said.
“This is a big shot in the arm. It’s always better late than never. I will see to it that in the next budget hearing I will principally author the insertion of this new amount in the 2008 national budget,” he said.
“This is a big boost to our athletes. We have the SEA Games coming up and then the Olympics. The President and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo are obsessed in winning our first gold medal in the Olympics.”
According to Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., the President has quietly introduced a hefty 47 percent increase in the PSC budget – from P149 million this year to P220 million in 2008.
“This is a big help for our athletes. Now it’s time for our good congressmen and senators to pass this and show their love for the national athletes,” said PSC chairman Butch Ramirez.
While Puentevella remains as sport’s biggest ally in Congress, Ramirez has Jinggoy Estrada, Manny Villar, Ed Andaya, Pia Cayetano, Cheez Escudero, Lito Lapid and Gringo Honasan to count on in the Senate. – Abac Cordero
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