The disappointing sixth place finish of Team Philippines in the 24 th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand has renewed the call for an increased budget for the Philippine Sports Commission

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, the chef de mission of the RP Team in Thailand, yesterday said the debacle serves as “a wake-up call that needs to jolt us all because sports received the lowest national budget since the PSC was created in 1990 as our reward for our victorious athletes after winning the SEA Games overall championship in 2005”.

“The medals won't come if we don't have the budget for training, equipment, infrastructure, foreign exposure and a genuine grassroots program,” Puentevella, also the first vice-president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said.

From a swashbuckling 113 gold medals two years ago, the Philippines harvested a measly 41 titles this time, good for sixth behind Thailand , Malaysia , Vietnam , Indonesia and Singapore .

Puentevella cited the results as the backlash of the slashing of the PSC budget in 2006 when the national government allotted P25 million to the sports agency, down from P100 million the previous year.

The PSC was given P108 million for 2007, he added.

The RP athletes, though, had the second most number of silvers with 89 and tied with Malaysia at second with 96 bronzes.

Thailand seized 183 golds out of a total 477, surpassing their target of 150 golds. The Thais also had 123 silvers and 102 bronzes Malaysia had the second most gold with 68, while Vietnam came in third with 64.

Puentevella said the national athletes should not be blamed for the debacle, but politicians, including him, who decide on the allotment for sports.

The solon expressed hopes that the proposed budget of P250 million --- the biggest in history --- which has the support of Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. will be passed next month.

Puentevella singled out Miguel Molina, the US-trained swimmer who won four golds and a bronze to emerge as the Games' most outstanding male athlete, for providing the country another proud achievement.

“If Miguel (Molina) is the best athlete in the region, then we can do it,” he said. “It's time to support our beleaguered athletes”.

POINT SYSTEM

Puentevella also said he will propose the implementation of the points system that has similarities with that of the Palarong Pambansa in determining the overall champion in the next SEA Games to be hosted by Laos in 2009.

He said he will make the proposal when the SEA Games Federation meets in Laos in three months time.

Puentevella pointed out that the current system, which is similar to the Olympics, does not give weight to team sports like basketball, softball and baseball, events where the Philippines are excelling. Titles in these events are only equivalent to one gold.

“The scheme will make the competition exciting,” he said.

He said the country would not be in sixth place if the points system of 10 points for golds, 7 points for silvers and 5 for bronzes, would be adapted.

With a total of 228 gold medals, the Philippines ranks second to Thailand with 408 with Malaysia (215) and Vietnam (204) in third and fourth, respectively.

“We should also get credit for our silvers and bronzes,” he added.*CPT

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