Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ricardo "Richie" Garcia was jubilant Tuesday night when Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. promised to help him find an additional P30 million funding for the 650-700 Philippine delegation to the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia on November 11-25, this year.

Reports from the wires said Garcia, who had an hour of closed-door meeting with Ochoa, reported that the latter promised his office will shoulder P10 million and gave assurance that he will help find other sources for the remaining P20 million to complete the needed amount.

Garcia said the Secretariat staff and Medical Team have doubled in number because there are two venues for the more than 44 sports and more than 400 events in Palembang and Jakarta.

Malacanang is supportive of the Philippines' participation in the 26th SEAG edition but help is much needed from the private sector in terms of sponsorship because it is expected that more than 200 athletes and officials will be added to the official list of the delegation that leaves as early as November 9 or 10.

Garcia said that during his meeting with Ochoa, he was impressed by the Executive Secretary's concern for Philippine sports, even as he revealed that President Benigno S. Aquino III wants prioritization of medal-rich sports which should be given attention and full support of the government.

Garcia added that this kind of setup will be fully implemented after the Indonesian 2011 SEA Games.

He issued a challenge to the 50 national sports associations to perform well in Indonesia in order to receive enough budget next year, aside from the possibility of getting into the list of 15 priority sports.

The PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee will jointly choose the 15 priority sports by the end of the year.

The PSC's "rationalization" was also mentioned, including the filling up of vacant plantilla positions in the agency which Garcia wishes to be occupied by contractuals.*PNA

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