Yap helps prepare Benguet athletes for national games

 SPORTS

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Upon learning of their flight, Rep. Eric Go Yap immediately orchestrated a comprehensive support initiative, ensuring that Benguet athletes have the necessary resources to compete at their best in the Batang Pinoy National Games and the Philippine National Games in Pasig City.
    "When I heard of the problems about sending our athletes, hindi tayo pwede mag-turuan, na trabaho dapat ni ganito, or dapat iba yung may responsibility dito. Kapag may kailangan ng tulong, we don’t say yes or no, we should say how and what can I do. These athletes, their parents and coaches are sacrificing, hindi lang para sa pangarap nila, but also para sa probinsya," said Yap.
    Unlike its neighboring city of Baguio, Benguet has only meager resources in sending limited number of athletes in competitions such as Batang Pinoy and the PNG.        
    Yap has arranged for the provision of transportation services for Benguet delegates by providing a coaster that will ferry the delegates from the province to Pasig and back and at the same time, rented 11 vehicles for a day as transport strike has hit Metro Manila on Monday, December 18.    
    The solon is also providing additional meals for the athletes and delegates, and supplying energy drinks to keep the competitors in top form throughout the duration of the events.
    "Kaya binisita natin sila, makita anong sitwasyon nila, kinausap natin yung parents and coaches na nandun, and in our own little ways, tumutulong tayo. Transportation needs, food at magprovide din tayo ng incentives para may dagdag motivation yung mga bata," added Yap.
    Having engaged in discussions with coaches who once wore the same shoes as their proteges, Yap recognizes the echoes of financial strain that resonate through the journey of aspiring athletes saying the lack of adequate financial backing not only affects training and equipment but also hampers the over-all development of potential sports stars.
    "The financial aspect of it has been a perennial problem, I spoke with some of the coaches na they themselves were former athletes, talagang mahirap. Hindi na siya bagong problema.
    Fortunately, ginagawan ng paraan ng local government units natin despite lack of funds. So it should be a collective effort.     There's only so much we can do kaya dapat tulong tulong," Yap said.
    The solon also vowed for substantial incentives—P5,000 for gold medalists, P2,000 for silver, and P1,000 for bronze.
    These incentives not only serve as a reward for their achievements but also as encouragement for future endeavors, fostering a culture of excellence and perseverance among Benguet's budding sports talents.
    Yap also appealed to the organizers of these events to re-think the scheduling of competitions as local government units are also fazed by funding woes.
    "We are also appealing to the PSC, the organizers of this event. Huwag naman sana end of the year nag-oorganize ng ganitong big events. They know for a fact kung gaano kahirap ang pondo ng mga LGUs, at depleted na talaga yan lalo pag patapos na ang taon. And our LGUs are not rich LGUs, unlike big cities and provinces. So kailangan talaga may preparation and proper budgeting para dito. And I heard they (PSC) will give each delegate 600 pesos transportation allowance; I don't think that is enough for a week-long event.  Yung playing venues, sobrang layo sa mga billeting areas. They should make it more systematic and cost-efficient next time," Yap said.