Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday, December 19 assured that the National Academy of Sports (NAS) will receive adequate funding support under the recently approved P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023.
Gatchalian said the funds appropriated for NAS will make sure its operations are not hampered.
The bicameral conference committee carried Gatchalian’s proposals to increase funds for NAS, especially for its Sports-Integrated Secondary Education Program.
The senator had proposed to augment the program’s proposed budget of P88,113,000 by P57,481,000 for a total of P145,594,000, to cover the monthly stipends for incoming Grade 7 students, provision of nutritious meals, and students’ participation in competitions, among others.
Next year’s budget also covers benchmarking that would enhance road mapping and help make NAS become a leader in sports development, he said.
Gatchalian, co-author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11470 which created the NAS System, pointed out the program earlier faced a looming P104-million-cut which could affect the academy’s efforts to attract students, especially from the countryside.
“Tinitiyak natin na matutupad natin ang ating pangako noong isabatas ang paglikha sa NAS -- ang mabigyan ng kaukulang suporta ang ating mga atleta at pagtibayin ang ating suporta sa sports dito sa ating bansa (We are making sure that we will fulfill our promise when we enacted the creation of the NAS—to provide appropriate support to our athletes and strengthen our support for sports here in our country),” said Gatchalian.
The NAS is mandated to implement a quality and enhanced secondary education program, integrated with a special curriculum on sports.
NAS is also mandated to offer full scholarships to natural-born Filipino citizens with considerable potential in sports. Its curriculum also seeks to help student-athletes excel and pursue their chosen career in sports.