"Napakaliit po ng pie na natatanggap ng PSC sa national budget dahil 200 million out of five trillion pesos. Napakaliit po at ang karangalan na nabibigay ng ating mga atleta sa ating mga kababayan ay hindi po matutumbasan,” Go emphasized on Monday, September 1.
"Baka po mabigyan ninyo ng prayoridad na hindi na sila mag makaawa sa Kongreso na dagdagan ang kanilang pondo," he added.
In response, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured that DBM has already increased the budget of PSC by 36%.
"For consideration po, meron din po silang National Sports Development Fund, which, to date, may PhP 1.3 billion pa po, which they can use for their programs and assistance to sports programs and projects,” Sec. Pangandaman stated.
Go then expressed gratitute to Pangandaman for ensuring sufficient funding for sports development under the proposed 2026 National Budget.
“In his SONA, he (President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) committed the government's full support for athletes and support for national sporting events. Masaya po ako na nabigyan niyo ng prayoridad yung National Academy of Sports,” Go said.
He further noted the importance of the National Academy of Sports (NAS), recalling that he, together with his fellow Senators, once envisioned an institution where student-athletes can simultaneously pursue their education and athletic training without compromising either.
“Nakabisita raw po kayo doon, at natutupad na 'yung pinangarap natin na magkaroon ng eskwelahan at the same time makapag training ang mga student-athletes na wala pong masasakripisyo na oras,” he added.
As one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11470, Go played a vital role in establishing NAS, which is located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. The academy combines secondary education with a sports-centered curriculum, enabling student-athletes to excel in both academics and their chosen sports.
At the start of the 20th Congress, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the proposed “National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025” which if enacted aims to institutionalize the establishment of NAS campuses in all administrative regions of the country which is in accordance with the existing law.
As Chairperson of both the Senate Committees on Sports and on Youth, Go also welcomed DBM’s plan to allocate funds for board and lodging services for athletes, ensuring they have safe and free accommodations.
“Salamat po na maisakatuparan po yung board and lodging, 'yung libre talaga na may matitirahan ang mga atleta,” Go expressed.
As a staunch advocate of sports, Go also filed SBN 407, which seeks to amend RA 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, to ensure inclusive incentives for para-athletes, among others.
Go also filed SBN 413, or the Philippine National Games bill, which if passed will institutionalize a nationwide grassroots sports competition that serves as a recruitment platform for National Sports Associations.
Meanwhile, SBN 678, also known as the proposed National Tertiary Games Act, aims to formalize a national collegiate multi-sport tournament that will nurture and showcase athletic talent at the tertiary level.
“Patuloy po tayong magtulungan to build a stronger, more resilient future for our Filipino athletes,” Go ended.
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