Institutionalizing Philippine National Games

Sports and health are so interrelated that managing both can significantly strengthen national development. These two essential aspects are among my advocacies as chairperson of the Senate Committees on Health and Sports. As I always say, "Ang maayos na kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino (Good health equates to the life of every Filipino)."

This is one of the reasons why I am pushing for the institutionalization of the Philippine National Games through Senate Bill No. 2514, which I recently sponsored in the Senate plenary before it adjourned this year. As one of its authors, together with no less than Senate President Migz Zubiri and Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva, this bill is rooted in Article 14, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the State to promote physical education and encourage sports programs.

By institutionalizing the PNG, we can provide a more inclusive platform for aspiring athletes to compete wherever they are in the country. If enacted, funding will be allocated for the conduct of this grassroots sports program, and we can strengthen the foundation of a nationwide multi-sport competition in the country. This will also include our para-athletes, wherein the games will be held biennially to include all aspiring athletes across the country.

One major deterrent to sports development is the perennial lack of funding. The Department of Budget of Management has proposed only P174 million for the Philippine Sports Commission's 2024 budget. The fact that this is only 0.004 percent of the country's P5.768 trillion budget shows the little importance we place on sports development.

Every year, there is a need to augment the sports budget through the concerted efforts of lawmakers. In 2023, the Senate added more than one billion to increase funding to support athletes competing in international competitions, for grassroots sports programs, and for our hosting of the FIBA World Cup. We also pushed for additional funding for next year, primarily since our athletes will compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

We have also stressed the crucial role of sports in nation-building and molding disciplined and productive citizens. That is why we continue to promote getting into sports to stay away from drugs and keep our youth healthy and fit.

Meanwhile, we were in Victoria, Tarlac on 13 December to witness the inauguration of the Super Health Center there, together with Governor Susan Yap, Vice Governor Carlito David, Congressman Christian Yap, Mayor Rex Villa Agustin, Vice Mayor Tristan Guiam, and other local officials. We also inspected the evacuation center, a project we fought to fund in collaboration with PAGCOR.

I am happy to announce that this week's turnover ceremony for the Sta. Margarita Super Health Center in Samar, which we inspected last April 2023. There was also a groundbreaking ceremony for a Super Health Center to be built in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. I, along with the DOH, LGUs, and fellow legislators, support the continued construction of Super Health Centers to bring primary health services closer to the people.

On 14 December, I was the guest speaker at the North Philippine Union Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventists Wide Ministerial Year-end Fellowship at the Adventist University of the Philippines in Silang, Cavite. Regardless of our faith, let us remember that serving the people is serving God.

We received an Agape award from the Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business Excellence and Filipino Achievers on 15 December. I am thankful for this recognition. With or without an award, our focus remains on helping our fellow Filipinos.

I also attended the recent Year-end Gathering and Oath-taking of New Officers for the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in Taguig City on 16 December. I was former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Also in attendance were PDP-Laban president Palawan Cong. Jose Alvarez, Senators Bato dela Rosa and Robin Padilla, former executive secretary Atty. Salvador Medialdea, and other party officials and members.

On 17 December, I also attended the opening ceremonies of the 2023 Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games in Manila City. I expressed my support to our young athletes and committed to doing my best to promote their welfare.

Meanwhile, my Malasakit Team assisted victims of separate fire incidents, including 38 families of Brgy. Tagumpay, Coron, Palawan; 28 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; 13 in Bacoor City, Cavite; 99 in Brgys. 732 and 739 Malate, Manila; and 95 in Brgy. Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City.

We also provided aid to victims recovering from typhoons, including 26 residents in Maitum, Sarangani Province; 468 in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; 25 Typhoon Paeng victims in Malapatan, Sarangani; 130 in Abulug, Cagayan; and 78 from Oton, Leon, and Maasin in Iloilo. They also received assistance from an NHA program we promoted earlier to help beneficiaries buy nails, galvanized iron sheets, cement, and other materials to repair their damaged homes.

We also assisted small business owners in recovering from crises. In Pangasinan, we aided 25 in Urbiztondo, 27 in Mangatarem, 119 in Binmaley and Dagupan City, 48 in Bautista, and another 71 in Calasiao. Additionally, 65 in General Luna, Quezon Province, and 15 in Maasim, Sarangani, received help. Separately, the DTI also provided them with livelihood kits.

We also aided displaced workers, including 763 in Roxas City and Pilar, Capiz, with Governor Fredenil Oto Castro; 177 in the province of Bataan with Board Member Tony Roman; 196 in Ronda, Cebu with Mayor Terence Blanco; 90 in Bago City, Negros Occidental with Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer; 205 in Tuguegarao City with Vice Governor Boy Vargas; 50 in Pasig City with Councilor Kiko Rustia; 57 in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, with Governor Eduardo Gadiano; 508 in Mabini, Batangas with Congresswoman Jinky Luistro; 168 members of various sectors in Nasipit, Butuan City, and Tubay in Agusan del Norte with Gov. Angel Amante. They were also provided with temporary employment by DOLE.

We also helped 200 hog owners and raisers in Tangalan, Aklan, in partnership with Governor Joen Miraflores; 70 members of the Guindulman Women's Association for Progress and Advancement in Guindulman, Bohol; 50 members of various associations in Kalinga with Governor James Edduba; and 30 members of different sectors in Tboli, South Cotabato with Councilor Swain de Groot. The beneficiaries also received separate livelihood assistance from the government.

We also provided support to 150 TESDA graduates in Danao City, Cebu. Around 1,000 indigents from Orani, Dinalupihan, and Hermosa, Bataan also received assistance.

Our youth still holds the future of the nation. Together, let us give them the opportunities to build a better, safer, and more productive life by promoting sports as part of nation-building and ensuring that no one is left behind toward recovery and progress.