The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Puerto Princesa on Tuesday, August 26 passed a resolution requesting City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron to increase the City Sports budget to allow more athletes to join national sports competition and to further uplift the city’s sports development program.
The city councilors, upon learning from City Sports Office through Atty. Gregorio Rocky Austria that their budget is only P1million annually, they agreed to push for an increase in an effort to further contribute to sports development.
The council deliberated the matter after City Councilor Epitacio Jie Lao delivered his privilege speech last week, seeking clarification from the City Sports Office in connection with the claims of some athletes parents that they will shoulder the transportation costs and other expenses in representing the city to Batang Pinoy sports event in General Santos City.
But Atty. Austria explained that those who will be representing Puerto Princesa City are supported by the City Sports Office funds, insisting that documents such as disbursement vouchers can prove that they are shouldered by the city government. These include the uniforms, plane fare, food, etc.
The Office also clarified that prior to the sporting event, they conducted selection to limit the number of the city’s delegation due to limited funds.
Austria informed the City Council that Puerto Princesa contingent despite stiff competition with more than 200 contingents or competing teams from different cities and provinces, it still managed to be in the 21st rank during Batang Pinoy sporting event. He said that since the Local Finance Committee already required them to submit their budget proposal for next year, he proposed P2million for calendar year 2026, a 100 percent of their present budget.
