The Philippine House of Representatives has endorsed to release
10 million pesos (US$250, 000) for the country's preparation for
the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games this August.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday reported that
Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez hailed the
endorsement as lawmakers' "active participation" in the quest of
the Philippines's first Olympic gold.
"The House has seen that continuous and sustained support is
needed in our preparation," Ramirez said.
But the report did not reveal how the fund will be spent.
The House approval of Olympic boost fund came a day after a team
of promising Filipino boxers failed to earn a slot to the Games in
the Asian Qualifying in Bangkok, Thailand.
Only one of the Filipino boxers, on whom the country laid the
most confidence for an Olympic gold, has been qualified to fight in
the Beijing Games.
Harry Tanamor, 31, secured his Olympic berth at the World
Amateur Boxing Championships in Chicago last November. Tanamor was
defeated by China's Zou Shiming in the final.
Other seven qualifiers are in taekwondo, swimming and
archery.
(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)