Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports and vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee, emphasized the importance of supporting the country's sports sector given its crucial role towards nation building, as well as in keeping the youth away from illegal drugs and in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

During the plenary debates for the 2024 budget of the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) on Wednesday, 15 November, Go stressed the need to support athletes competing in international competitions while also promoting grassroots sports development to hone and give opportunities for promising young athletes. He also highlighted the need to invest and improve sports facilities nationwide.

In his opening statement, Go outlined the budgetary allocations for PSC and GAB for Fiscal Year 2024. He highlighted the proposed increases in their allocations. Go is pushing for at least an additional P500 million in the budget of PSC. This proposed substantial increase is for grassroots sports programs, improvements in sports facilities, and support for athletes competing in international sports events like the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Winter Youth Olympics.

Go also highlighted the budget for rehabilitation and upgrading the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City as well as for the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila City. He pointed out the significance of this investment, noting that the facilities are crucial in the training and competitions of national athletes. These improvements are also aimed at enhancing the capabilities and living conditions of athletes using these facilities.

Go also explained the dire state of sports funding in the Philippines. He thanked the Committee on Finance particularly its chairperson, Sen. Sonny Angara, for the support in continuously increasing the national budget for sports programs.

However, he emphasized a concerning trend, "Napapansin ko po masyado tayong naka-asa sa National Sports Development Fund na karamihan galing sa PAGCOR."

He highlighted the perennial issue of sports being underfunded in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) year after year, necessitating legislators to step in annually to augment the budget.

"Every year, tayo pa po ang nagdadagdag ng budget dito sa Senado sa committee report," he lamented.