Public-private partnerships are essential

SEN. Bong Go on Monday stressed the importance of cooperation between the government and the private sector to enhance the welfare of Filipino athletes and their global competitiveness.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Affairs, Go stressed the need for both sectors to support each other, noting that such cooperation is essential for athletes to achieve success.

“It’s important to support each other. Support from the government, support from the private sector,” Go said, emphasizing the necessary synergy needed for sporting achievements.

Senator Bong Go. Photo provided

Recalling his first days in the Senate in 2019, Go appealed for additional support for weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz from private entities due to government restrictions.

“In 2019, when I first became a senator, I also pushed for Hydilyn Diaz to get support from a private company because the government support was not enough and there were too many demands. We have to support our athletes who are not covered by the government,” he said.

According to Go, this collaborative approach has yielded significant achievements.

“It means that when the government and the private sector come together to support an athlete, we can go far. And we can win gold at the Olympics,” he said.

In 2019, Go played a key role in signing a sponsorship deal between Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Hidilyn Diaz, helping her train for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.

Go also praised the recent successes of gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two Olympic gold medals at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which shows the great potential that committed support can bring.

“And look at Carlos Yulo. He has a lot of potential. His gymnastics association supported him. You see, they focused on him for a long time. We won, we got the gold we wanted, and we got two,” he said.

Reflecting on the qualities of Yulo and the broader Filipino spirit, Go expressed admiration in his story for the athletes’ determination and will to succeed.

“You see, Carlos Yulo may be short, but he’s fierce. You see that height isn’t the only thing that matters in being an athlete. But you see his potential. And our golden boy is incredible. The heart of a Filipino is bigger than others,” Go added, celebrating the resilience and spirit of Filipino athletes.

That same day, Go filed Senate Resolution 1100, congratulating gymnast Carlos Yulo for his outstanding performance at the Olympics.

Go continues to engage with Filipino athletes in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

In June, Go partnered with the Philippine Sports Commission to distribute PHP500,000 checks to each Olympian to support their preparations for the Paris Olympic Games.

After winning the bronze medal at the Asian Volleyball Cup, the Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team received a financial support of PHP 200,000 from Go, through PSC.

In 2021, Go supported the PSC’s proposal to seek additional allowances and incentives for Filipinos who participated in and won the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in Japan.

Go has been a staunch advocate for grassroots sports development for many years. He played a key role in the creation of the National Academy of Sports (NAS), authoring and co-sponsoring Republic Act 11470. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS combines secondary education with a sports-oriented curriculum, offering student-athletes a dual path to success in sports and academics.