SENATOR Bong Go has made an appeal to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) after receiving complaints from athletes and coaches about the delayed release of their allowances amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Sports, said athletes and coaches under the care of the government's sports agency have complained that they have yet to receive allowances due for June and July.
"Tinatawagan ko ng pansin ang pamunuan ng PSC kung maaaring tingnan ang reklamong ito," Go, the top aide of President Duterte before winning a Senate seat, said. "Ayusin ang dapat ayusin at ibigay ang dapat ibigay."
"May mga natatanggap akong reklamo tungkol sa delayed na pagbigay ng mga allowances ng ating mga athletes at coaches para sa mga buwan ng Hunyo at Hulyo. Ngayon ay Agosto na," he added.
Go said he understood that funds are tight right now for the PSC, which relies on a percentage of the earnings of the Philippine Gaming Corp. Pagcor's revenue has been badly hit with casinos and the national lottery yet to operate amid the pandemic.
The PSC has already slashed the allowances of athletes as part of the belt-tightening measures.
"Alam kong hirap din kayo sa inyong mga pondo dahil sa mababang remittances mula sa Pagcor. Nabawasan na nga kamakailan ang kanilang mga monthly allowances, sana huwag naman ma-delay pa," Go said.
But Go expressed hope that the PSC leadership will find a way deliver the allowances to athletes who he said badly need funds at this time.
Go also vowed to pitch in.
"Alam kong kaya ninyong matugunan kaagad ito. Bilang Chair ng Senate Commitee on Sports, magtulungan tayo para sa kapakanan ng ating mga atletang nangangailangan ngayon," the senator said.
"We are in the middle of a pandemic and everyone is having difficulty. Our athletes and coaches who bring honor to our country are no exception."
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