Samar solon seeks higher outlay for regional sports events

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Feb. 13  -- A lawmaker from Samar province has asked the Department of Education (DepEd) to increase budget for the conduct of the annual sports events in the regions.

Samar 1st district Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento said on Tuesday he would file a resolution in the House of Representatives for DepEd to allocate at least PHP15 million annually for the conduct of regional athletic events.

Currently, DepEd only allocates PHP800,000 for the regional sports competition to every region. In the case of Eastern Visayas, the budget is augmented by PHP700,000 from the regional office.

The host local government unit shoulders most of the expenses in hosting the annual event, which according to Sarmiento is unfair since the activity is part of DepEd curriculum.

The Calbayog local government had spent about PHP35 million for hosting the sports meet last week.

“It is very unfair for the LGU to spend so much for it, but then again this activity is for the good of our children, they benefit from it that is why we and the LGU extended support to it,” said Sarmiento, whose office allocated considerable budget for the hosting of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Meet held last week in this city.

Part of the proposed PHP15-million allocation for every regional sports meet will be used for the improvement of schools to have ready facilities like functioning toilets and showers that will be used by athletes.

“Because this is for the comfort of our students. We need to provide better facilities that whenever the regional meet comes, they always look forward to it,” Sarmiento said.

Improved facilities will not only be used by athletes, but by students during regular classes and by evacuees during weather disturbances since schools serve as evacuation centers.

The annual regional athletic event is the venue for DepEd to choose who among the athletes will represent the region in the annual Palarong Pambansa, the country’s biggest sports event.

This year, DepEd has allocated PHP9 million for national event players from the region. The budget will be used for transportation, meals and uniforms of athletes. The fund does not include budget to pay trainers of athletes.

Eastern Visayas will send around 600 to 700 member-delegation to the Palarong Pambansa. It will be held on the last week of April in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. (RTA/PNA)