An adequate budget for next year is needed in order for the Philippine sports to continue its success, Rep. Monico Puentevella said.

"No sports plan in the world can ever succeed without the proper logistics. Without the proper budget, the most beautiful plan in the world will still fail," Puentevella said.

Philip Ella Juico, former Philippine Sports Commissioner chairman, said in a national daily that the lack of a master plan will create debates among the 40 national sports associations on which events will be included in the "Chosen 10". The "Chosen 10" is a formula that will be used in picking the 10 disciplines, that will be lavishly funded for training and extensive exposure to international competitions, for the Philippine goal to bring home its first- ever Olympic gold medal.

William Ramirez, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, said he expects a more scientific sports program next year as he presented the government's five-year sports master plan called the "RP Unified Sports Program". The plan aims to win five to 10 golds in the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in December 2006, at least 75 golds in the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand in December 2007, and snare the Philippines' first gold in the Beijing Olympic Games in August 2008.

Puentevella, a former PSC commissioner, said he has read so many plans, but nothing come out except now because of the proper funding and coordination of the Philippine Olympic Committee, PSC and the private sponsors (godfathers).

He filed a resolution early this month urging the Department of Budget and Management to increase the proposed budget of the PSC in the 2006 General Appropriations Act from P26 million to P250 million.

Puentevella filed the resolution after the Philippines bagged 113 golds, 76 silvers and 85 bronzes to snare its first ever overall championship in the Southeast Asian Games.

If the POC can initiate a new plan with the logistics coming from the PSC, the godfathers and the First Gentleman Foundation then, maybe, we can get somewhere, Puentevella said. *CIT

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