Asian Games: PSC chair says P25M needed for Guangzhou

THE government could be spending P25 million for the Filipino athletes’ participation in the sixth Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, in November.

This was the assessment made by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia after meeting with Asian Games chief of mission Joey Romasanta on Wednesday.

“They came up with budget proposals of the different items like airfare, competition uniforms and parade uniforms,” said Garcia, who is barely two weeks on the job as PSC chief.

“Roughly based on the figures, it will tantamount to something like P25 million,” he added.

Garcia said his predecessor Harry Angping earmarked P30 million for the country’s stint in the quadrennial meet set from November 12 to 27.

Romasanta, also the spokesman of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), earlier said he expected the delegation to Guangzhou to exceed 230 athletes.

And with P30 million, Garcia said money will no longer be a problem for the games.

“Nakita naman namin na meron talagang P30 million na earmarked for the Asian Games participation,” he said. “So with a budget of P30 million, apparently wala nang problema even if we have 200-plus athletes on the team.”

The 64-year-old Garcia said that although the Macapagal administration has used up most of the entire government’s budget—prompting him to knock at the door of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s door for additional funds—it was rather different at the PSC.

The PSC has the money-fund for the Guangzhou campaign and Romasanta and the rest of the Asian Games working committee are now just waiting for the final list of athletes from the national sports associations.

The joint task force for the Asian Games is composed of PSC commissioner Chito Loyzaga, finance head Merly Ibay and transportation head Boy Dinglasan of the PSC, and Romasanta, Moying Martelino and Dr. Benjamen Espiritu on the POC side.