BATASAN HILLS, Quezon City — Noting the big decrease in the proposed budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for 2025 to almost half of its previous allocation, Valenzuela City representative Eric Martinez is sponsoring increased funds for the country’s premier sports agency in order to support its programs in upgrading the skills and talents of Filipino athletes.

This is in reaction to a report on the total appropriations of that PSC under the national budget which have consistently gone down from ₱2.27 billion in 2023 to ₱1.15 billion in 2024 and to ₱725.75 million in 2025.

Martinez pointed out that despite the decrease in the PSC budget, which greatly affects the government’s sports programs, our athletes consistently strive to gain honor for the country, as shown in the recent Olympic Games in Paris, France where the Philippines recorded an unprecedented two-gold medal haul courtesy of gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo as well as two bronze medals by boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio.

The Valenzuela City lawmaker acknowledged that the expenditure was all “worth it,” underscoring that Paris is the country’s most successful Olympic campaign as justification and additional financing is necessary for the country to win more medals.

“These figures would show that the formula to success is really funding . . . and if we want more gold, we want more funding. This is the clear cut formula—and it was proven by Hidilyn (Diaz) and validated by the double gold of Caloy (Carlos Yulo),” Martinez said.

However, One Filipinos Worldwide (OFW) party-list Representative Marissa ‘Del Mar’ Magsino disclosed that for the Paris Olympics, the PSC spent around ₱170 million—of which ₱79 million went to the training of the athletes, ₱40 million for the qualifying tournaments, ₱20 million for the regular competitions, and ₱31.5 million for the incentives.

Magsino likewise cited that the proposed budget for locally funded projects is only ₱255 million compared to ₱752 million in 2024 since 2025 is not an Olympic, Youth Olympic, or Paralympic year.

The next Summer Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles, California in 2028. Aside from the ₱725-million allocation under the proposed 2025 budget, the PSC can also use the National Sports Development Fund, as provided under the PSC law.