PSC to put Olympic budget on standby

Whatever is left of the Philippine Sports Commission’s budget for the Olympic participation of the Filipino athletes will be used and spent on some other projects.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia yesterday said the agency has allocated P30 million for the Olympics scheduled July 27-Aug. 12.

But the Philippine Olympic Committee, in full charge of the Philippine participation, wants to be self-sufficient this time and is planning to raise its own funds.

The POC formed its own marketing team headed by former PSC officer Ramon Suzara in a bid to raise the funds through the private sector.

“But we can still use a portion of our budget for the training of the Olympic bound athletes. But we cannot spend them all,” said Garcia.

The PSC chief said he will ask the Department of Budget regarding the possibility of realigning the budget or whatever is left of it so it can be spent on other projects.

Garcia explained that since the P30 million is allocated for the Olympic participation, it should be spent for the sole purpose. Otherwise, whatever is left cannot be spent elsewhere.

“We will ask the DBM to realign the budget on some of the projects. Because if you cannot use it (Olympic budget), it goes back to the treasury,” Garcia said.

He added that he recently spoke to Manny Lopez, chef-de-mission of the Philippine Team to the London Olympics, regarding the issue.

“I called him up and told him that if they need anything we have the funds to cover the Olympics,” he said.

So far, there are six Filipinos who have qualified for this year’s Olympics. They are boxer Mark Anthony Barriga, and two athletes each from athletics and swimming, and one from shooting.

More qualifying tournaments in different sports are lined up until the first weeks of July, and Lopez said they’re still hoping that a couple more Filipinos would make it.