City Sports Director Atty. Gregorio “Rocky” Austria rejected claims that Puerto Princesa athletes bound for the Batang Pinoy Olympics were paying for their own travel, food, and uniforms.
He was responding to a privilege speech by Councilor Epitacio “Jie” Lao Jr. at the Sangguniang Panlungsod session last week.
During the session on August 26, Austria directly responded, saying the allegations were false.
He said that the local government has full support for all athletes who will represent Puerto Princesa in the games to be held in General Santos City.
“Ito po, even at this early stage, sinasabi ko na po na I vehemently deny this statement or insinuation,” Austria said.
Austria stressed that Lao’s privilege speech was misleading because it gave the impression that athletes representing Puerto Princesa were being made to shoulder their food, plane fare, and uniforms.
He reiterated that this was not true and that all expenses were properly documented in vouchers, which prove that the athletes are supported by the city government.
“Makikita natin na malinaw sa priviledge speech na sinasabi na ‘yung magre-represent sa Puerto Princesa ay para bang pinapabayad pa natin sa kanila ang kanilang pagkain, plane fare at uniforms ay walang katotohanan,” he said, adding that what Lao said was misleading.
“Documented lahat at makikita sa voucher, Kagawad Jie Lao na mayroong dokumento na magpapatunay na suportado sila [athletes] ng city government,” he told him.
Austria clarified that some parents requested to include their children in the delegation even if they were not covered by the city’s allocated budget.
The City Sports Office allowed this on the condition that parents signed a letter of intent acknowledging that they would shoulder the expenses.
“In-accommodate namin at ang request lang namin nung in-accommodate sila ay gumawa naman kayo at i-formalize natin na gumawa kayo ng inyong letter, ng inyong sulat, letter of intent at isabi n’yo doon na you will be responsible for the expenses of your children, sa mga anak ninyo,” Austria said.
For his part, Councilor Lao clarified that his intention was not to discredit the City Sports Office but to highlight the need for more funding.
He said he is a sports enthusiast who wants more opportunities for young athletes.
Lao also pointed out that excluding players from team events, which are costlier but only yield one medal, could discourage athletes.
“Ang gusto ko lang po kasi alam ko na kulang na kulang ang pondo ng City Sports, nandito po kami kasama ng ating mga Konsehal na magtulungan na ipaunlad o dagdagan ang pondo ng City Sports ng Puerto Princesa,” Lao said.
“Hindi ba dapat na responsibilidad natin na kahit hindi winnable ang team ay hindi natin tinitingnan ng ganun, bagkus ay suportahan at bigyan ng pagkakataon at palakasin ang loob ng mga kabataan ng ating siyudad,” he said.
Councilor Elgin Damasco expressed understanding of both sides, saying Lao’s speech should be seen as a call to increase funding rather than an attack.
“I understand the predicament surrounding the Office of City Sports and I know very well na your office lacks funds to shoulder all expenses for the athletes na gustong magparticipate in any national sports events like Batang Pinoy. I also understand Councilor Jie Lao, I think, his intentions are not to malign the office of former City Councilor Austria as the City Sports Director but to seek solution to the problem,” Damasco said.
Following the debate, SK Federation President and Ex-Officio Member Karl Dylan Aquino filed a resolution urging Mayor Lucilo Bayron to increase the budget of the City Sports Office for future Batang Pinoy delegations.
Parents, guardians react
On social media, under a Palawan News video post, comments show mixed reactions from parents and guardians about the issue of athlete funding for the Batang Pinoy Olympics.
Some parents insisted that they were told only medalists from the last Batang Pinoy would be fully funded by the city government, while others had to sign letters of intent to shoulder their children’s expenses if they wanted them included.
One parent said they had “evidence” that athletes were instructed to pay for uniforms and travel, while another noted that requests for support were turned down because the budget was already allocated for medalists.
“Kami po ay Isa sa magulang ng Isang Atleta .papuntang Gen San..ang Sabi Nyo po ay walang budget….ang sinabi Nyo po ay mga medalist lang ang susuportahan.. Pati uniform bilihin…nirequire Nyo ng parents consent or letter kaya gumawa kami dahil sa qualified..lumapit po coach namin at kapatid ng Atleta…sa Inyo Atty ..walang budget sinabi Nyo ..may evidences po kami (sic),” one parent wrote.
“Naunawaan po namin ang sinasabi….Pero July 14 po pumunta yong kapatid ng Atleta at coach para humingi ng tulong para masuportahan o maisama sa mga Sasabak sa Batang Pinoy…Pero ang sagot wala g pundo…at yong mga medalist lang daw yong may pundo (sic),” another added.
Other commenters defended the City Sports Office, explaining that the ₱1 million budget could not cover all 100-plus athletes, making it necessary to prioritize those who qualified through official tryouts.
They added that parents who insisted on including their children had been informed of the limitations during meetings.
“Ibig pong sabihin limitado po ang pondo na nakalaan, hindi naman talaga na literal na walang pondo. Limitado po ang kayang gastusan na bilang ng atleta kung ang pagbabasehan ay ang pondong nakalaan,” one commenter explained.
Another parent, however, described how their child was motivated despite not always being qualified.
“Halos 3 times na nakasama sa Batang Pinoy yong anak ko. At lahat ay libre, pamasahe, accomodation, beddings, pagkain at allowance… Noong hindi siya nakasama dahil hindi nga siya qualified ay wala akong sinisi bagkos ay minotivate ko Yong anak ko para lalong mgpakahusay (sic),” the post read.
