The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has earmarked P46.230 million for the country’s participation in next month’s Tokyo Olympics.
The PSC board approved the amount during its meeting Tuesday, June 10, based on the proposed budget of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
The amount will cover the international airfare, hotel and accommodation and allowances of athletes and officials, as well as expenses to comply with health protocols such as COVID-19 testing prior to departure, hotel quarantine and insurance for COVID-19 treatment, travel and repatriation of the entire Philippine delegation.
The assistance is still subject to adjustment based on the actual participation of Filipino athletes, coaches and officials.
PSC chairman Butch Ramirez said the government sports agency is fully committed to support the national team’s campaign to the Games as the country seeks its first elusive Olympic gold medal.
So far, the country has nine official Olympic qualifiers in pole vaulter EJ Obiena, world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, rower Cris Nievarez, and boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Irish Magno and Eumir Marcial.
Margielyn Didal is also primed to compete at the Games, while more athletes are expected to earn berths like golfers Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan and Juvic Pagunsan, and judoka Kiyome Watanabe.