Sen. Go's call heeded: PSC assures athletes allowance on its way


Overhaul of payroll administration causes delay in release of allowances

Marc Velasco
PSC's national training director Marc Velasco (PSA Images)

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) assured national athletes they will get their monthly allowances as soon as possible following reports of delay relayed to Senator Bong Go.

In a statement, the PSC Board said the delay in the release of allowances was caused by the overhaul of the sports agency’s payroll administration system after it recently discovered the alleged payroll fraud committed by one of its employees over the past five years.

“This was a painful but necessary action to ensure that no underhanded schemes are ever done in this service of aspect again,” the statement said.

“In the wake of that sad discovery of a payroll padding scam by an employee, our agency, while rocked to its core, was also roused to further strengthen our processes at all fronts.”

National training director Marc Velasco said they actually notified all national teams about the delay and the cause of it.

“We understand that with the crisis raging, the delay is very stressful, but the corrections were also needed,” he said.

PSC executive director Atty Guillermo Iroy Jr also said they have finalized the necessary requirements for the effect of this batch’s posting under the new system and that these allowances will be deposited by Monday.

The PSC Board, meanwhile, called on different NSAS to ensure proper monitoring and reporting on the training and activities of their athletes under their supervision and to religiously submit as these are requirements in the processing of the monthly allowances.

“Our PSC Board and family continue to work for the interest of Philippine sports and in the service of Filipino athletes,” the statement said.

The issue on allowances’ delay rose after Sen. Go, who heads the Committee on Sports, appealed to the PSC after receiving complaints from athletes and coaches.