Bong Go calls on government to continue looking after athletes amidst COVID-19 pandemic, asks sports businesses to support employees in need

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go called on the government, particularly the Philippine Sports Commission and Games and Amusement Board, to continue looking after the well-being of Filipino amateur and professional athletes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Nananawagan po ako sa pamahalaan na patuloy na suportahan ang ating mga atleta sa panahon na ito. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa PSC at GAB sa kanilang mga initiatives para sa ating mga atleta," Go said.

"Mahalaga na alagaan natin hindi lang ang kanilang pisikal na kalusugan, kundi pati na rin ang kanilang mental well-being," Go added.

Recently, the PSC has given regular allowance to around 1,000 national athletes and coaches despite its "No training, no allowance" policy. The commission also provided housing and food to stranded national team members in Metro Manila. It has also been monitoring the health status of its athletes through online medical consultations and psychological sessions.

GAB has recently made arrangements with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, through the suggestion of Senator Go, for athletes and trainers to be provided food packs and financial assistance under DSWD's Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations program, subject to the availability of funds.

"Dahil wala silang mga kompetisyon o pagkakakitaan ngayon -- ang mga boxingero, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts fighters and other athletes, pati ang kanilang mga trainers through GAB -- ay pinatulungan nating makakuha ng ayuda mula sa mga programa ng gobyerno tulad nung sa DSWD," he said.

According to GAB Chair Abraham Kahlil Mitra, their target is that more than 1,000 professional fighters, coaches, trainers and match makers licensed by GAB will benefit from the aid being provided by the government. Initially, food packs and financial assistance had been distributed already to fighters in fourteen gyms in Metro Manila.

Senator Go also took the opportunity to urge PSC to formulate new policies on how the sports industry can move forward amidst the new realities of the pandemic. The Senator encouraged all relevant agencies to look into the integration of technology in sports development such as the conduct of online training and coaching.

"Ngayon, sa 'new normal', kailangan talaga nating mag-isip ng panibagong diskarte pagdating sa sports. Tingnan natin kung paano tayo magpatuloy gamit ang teknolohiya," the Senator said.

"Ang ating mga atleta ay nagdadala ng karangalan sa ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng kanilang husay at talento. Ngayon, ipakita natin ang taos pusong suporta sa kanila, hindi lang sa mga laro, kundi sa oras ng pangangailangan," Go added.

As Senate Committee on Sports Chair, Senator Go also urged business owners in the sports industry to support their employees amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ang sports ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng ating kultura at ekonomiya. Ako ay nananawagan sa mga sports businesses na lubos na suportahan ang kanilang mga empleyado sa panahon ngayon. Huwag silang pabayaan, lalo na ngayon na pinilit natin silang manatili sa kanilang mga bahay para rin sa kanilang kapakanan," Go said.

Senator Go emphasized that the sports industry is one of the sectors badly affected by quarantine measures because of business closures and sporting events cancellations.

The Senator encouraged the said industry to avail of the current assistance and benefits offered by the government, if qualified, highlighting programs such as the Department of Finance's Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS).

According to the subsidy program, the government, through the Social Security System, is providing a wage subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 per month, depending on the regional minimum wage, for every eligible employee.

"Malaking bagay po sa ating mga kababayan 'yung SBWS program ng DOF. Habang sarado pa ang mga negosyo, 'yung subsidy na matatanggap nila ay makakatulong sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na gastos," Go said.

The Senator likewise encouraged large sports businesses to support athletes and other individuals engaged in the industry in any way that they can.

"Para po sa mga malalaking sports businesses, kung maaari, bigyan natin ng anumang assistance ang ating mga kababayan na nasa sports industry. Tayo po ay magtulungan dahil nasa isang team tayong lahat," Go said.

"Magbayanihan po tayo. Sama-sama, kaya nating talunin ang COVID-19 bilang isang nagkakaisang bansa," he added.