Richie Garcia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The Philippine Sports Commission has approved an increase on the budget for all the national sports associations by 20 percent from P450 million last year to P550 million this year.
The PSC board led by chair Richie Garcia green lit the increase that is expected to be a welcome development to at least 44 NSAs whose programs are almost always dependent on financial assistance from the PSC.
The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association is getting the biggest share of P30 million for 2016. Patafa already has one athlete qualified for the Rio Olympics in hurdler Eric Cray. But the athletics body is hoping to field in more, including pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena and long jumper Marestella Torres.
The budget, according to PSC executive director Guillermo Iroy, will be in effect for the whole year even though the PSC board members are co-terminus with President Aquino who will step down in July.