Baguio City has bolstered its initial funding of P1.8 million for its Batang Pinoy delegation to defend the city’s crown as it eyes its fourth consecutive year at the top rankings.
The initial funding available to the athletes was P1.8 million, and was subsequently bolstered to a total of P8.8 million in order to provide an appropriate budget and incentive to each of the almost 600-strong delegation set to compete in Puerto Princesa this December.
Based on the expenditure schedule submitted by the city’s sports development office to the city council, each of the delegates to the national sports event 15 years of age and below is allotted P14,285 to cover the airfare, transportation, food, uniforms, insurance, and other expenses.
Additionally, the delegation that the city is sending to the end-of-year games is larger than last year’s delegation, which was 561 individuals strong.
The additional P7 million is part of the P12 million funding requested by the City Administrator’s Office and approved by the Baguio City Council on September 23, 2024.
The City Administrator’s Office sought additional funding as the fund for athlete incentives had dried up last year, due to a significant deficit in the budget for rewarding achievements caused by an amendment to the city’s sports code.