Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the institutionalization of the Philippine National Games will further strengthen grassroots sports development and provide more opportunities to aspiring athletes.

Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go (Senate PRIB Photo)

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, pointed this out as he renewed his push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act.

The bill primarily seeks to create a nationwide platform for the country’s athletes, particularly aspiring young athletes, to display their abilities.

The measure also seeks to encourage all local government units (LGUs) to promote sports in all barangays, towns, municipalities, cities, and provinces, and assists various National Sports Association in promoting their respective sports at the grassroots level.

“Maganda po ito na maisabatas para magkaroon ng kumpetisyon na magiging plataporma ng aspiring national athletes at masiguro natin ang pagbibigay po ng priority ng gobyerno sa kumpetisyon na ito (It would be good to pass this into lawso we can have a competition that will be a platform for aspiring national athletes and we can ensure that the government gives priority to this competition)," Go said.

Go said institutionalizing the PNG would help strengthening the country’s sports program and nurturing the youth who may bring honor to the nation be further realized.

"Sa pagtatag natin ng PNG, itinataguyod natin ang pagpapalakas ng ating grassroots sports programs, pagpapaunlad ng ating physical education, at ang paghubog ng mga kabataan na maaaring magbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa (In establishing PNG, we are promoting the strengthening of our grassroots sports programs, the development of our physical education, and the formation of young people who can bring honor to our country),” the senator asserted.

Meanwhile, Go also underscored the need to increase the budget for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

With the support of the Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Go vowed to push for the promotion of grassroots sports development and the preparation of national athletes for international competitions by increasing the budget of the PSC.

“Lahat ng ating inisyatibo ay nakalinya sa ating pag-engganyo sa kabataan na to get into sports, stay away from drugs. Isa po ito sa pamamaraan na ma-engganyo natin sila and, of course, to be healthy and fit (All our initiatives are aligned with our aspiration to entice the youth to get into sports, stay away from drugs. This is one of the ways we can entice them and, of course, to be healthy and fit),” Go said.

“Investing in sports will not only enable us to develop world-class athletes, but it will also help us in keeping our youth away from illegal drugs and other harmful vices,” the senator reiterated.