Senator Win Gatchalian on Monday said the National Academy of Sports will receive adequate funding support under the recently-approved P5.268 trillion 2023 national budget.
Gatchalian assured the NAS' operations for next year will not be hampered as he proposed more funds for the academy's programs, particularly the implementation of the Sports-Integrated Secondary Education Program, proposing an additional augmentation of P57,481,000 budget to its P88,113,000 approved budget, bringing the total to P145,594,000.
The budget for the Sports-Integrated Secondary Education Program covers the monthly stipends for incoming Grade 7 students, the provision of nutritious meals, and students' participation in competitions, among others.
It also covers benchmarking efforts to enhance road mapping and sports development in the NAS.
Gatchalian said the program earlier faced a looming P104 million cut, which he stressed could affect the academy's efforts to attract students, especially those from the countryside.
The senator has earlier co-authored and sponsored the Republic Act 11470 creating the NAS System in the country.
"We should make sure that our athletes will get appropriate support and sports system in the country will be boosted," he said.
RA 11470 stated that the NAS system is mandated to implement a quality and enhanced secondary education program, integrated with a special curriculum on sports.
NAS offers full scholarships to natural-born Filipino citizens with considerable potential in sports.
The NAS curriculum seeks to help student-athletes excel in their respective sports or pursue their chosen careers.
The law likewise seeks to establish nationally-funded regional high schools for sports to boost the development of young athletes in other parts of the country.
