Despite a lean delegation, the Philippine campaign in the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Burma (Myanmar) next month will cost the country P15 million more than its earmarked budget of P30 million for the Dec. 11 to 22 biennial sportsfest.
Chair Richie Garcia yesterday said the Philippine Sports Commission will just have to find a way to get additional funding for the 210 athletes that will compete in 25 sports and will be accompanied by 114 officials.
The PSC, the government agency that finances the national team, usually allocates P30 million for the SEA Games.
Two years ago, the country sent P85 million on a delegation of 512 athletes that placed sixth overall.
“We’ve been emphatic on the selection of athletes not only to cut down the expenses, but to make sure that we’ll send only the best,” said Garcia.
“This is definitely cheaper compared to Indonesia, but we’ll just find a way to get the additional budget,” he added.
The bulk of the budget goes to the air fare, uniforms, equipment, accommodation and allowances of the athletes and officials.
The air fare alone costs between $800 to $1,000 depending on which route the athletes will take. The 324-man delegation could choose a shorter route from Manila to Bangkok before going to Nay Pyi Taw or take a longer trip via Singapore and Yangon.
With them are 81 coaches and team officials, 18 secretariat members and a 15-man medical group to be spread out in Nay Pyi Taw and satellite venues Yangon and Mandalay.
Meanwhile, sanda fighter Divine Wally was the latest addition to the delegation after Philippine Olympic Committee chief Jose Cojuangco Jr. and Garcia approved the participation of the Asian junior wushu silver medalist.
In another development, the Senate has approved a budget of P182 million for the PSC next year that will cover, among others, the operations of the agency and manpower salary.