A BILL that seeks to increase the funds of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to ensure adequate support for local athletes competing in international competitions was filed at the House of Representatives.  

House Deputy Speaker and Biñan City Rep. Marlyn B. Alonte filed House Bill 10270 or the proposed Sports Finance Act of 2021, which would expand sources for the National Sports Development Fund.  

New sources of funding would include proceeds from the Motor Vehicles Users’ Tax, revenues from gaming operators of online cockfighting or e-sabong, and all taxes collected from imported athletic equipment.  

The National Sports Development Fund currently comes from proceeds from lotto games and sale of stamps.    

“The sweepstakes have become obsolete and is now just a shadow of what it once was,” Ms. Alonte said in her explanatory note. 

The measure would also allow the PSC in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management and the National Economic and Development Authority to explore, negotiate, and secure foreign grants and technical assistance to augment sports funds.    

The bill comes after the historic run of the Philippine delegation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, including the country’s first gold medal from weightlifter Hidilyn F. Diaz.  

The House has earlier conferred the Congressional Medal of Excellence to Ms. Diaz and the Congressional Medal of Distinction to boxers Nesthy A. Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Felix D. Marcial.    

A House bill was also filed on Aug. 26 to establish an Olympian Museum at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac, which would be the official public venue for all Olympian records and other memorabilia. — Russell Louis C. Ku 

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