SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday gave assurances that the National Academy of Sports will receive adequate funding under the P5.268-trillion 2023 budget.

The national budget for next year carried Gatchalian’s proposal to increase funds for NAS, especially for its Sports-Integrated Secondary Education Program.

Gatchalian proposed to augment the program’s budget of P88,113,000 by P57,481,000 for a total of P145,594,000.

“Tinitiyak natin na matutupad natin ang ating pangako noong isabatas ang paglikha sa NAS — ang mabigyan ng kaukulang suporta ang ating mga atleta at pagtibayin ang ating suporta sa sports dito sa ating bansa,” he said.

The budget for the Sports-Integrated Secondary Education Program covers the monthly stipends for incoming Grade 7 students, provision of nutritious meals and students’ participation in competitions, among others.

It also covers benchmarking that will enhance road mapping and help make NAS become a leader in sports development.

Under Republic Act 11470, which Gatchalian co-authored and sponsored, the NAS System is mandated to implement a quality and enhanced secondary education program, integrated with a special curriculum on sports.

It will offer full scholarships to natural-born Filipino citizens with considerable potential in sports.

The NAS curriculum seeks to help student-athletes excel in their respective sports or pursue their chosen careers.