For one, the government sports agency does not have the budget to carry out the repairs in the north and south wings of the historic sports complex along Vito Cruz in Manila. Tuason said they would need at least P15 million for the repairs.
"We need to do a lot of rewiring, installation of new water pipes, sewer lines and electrical connections. And this needs to be done floor by floor. Hindi puwede ang tagpi-tagpi dahil babalik lang ang sira," said Tuason.
Improvement of poor living conditions of the athletes staying inside the complex where they also train is just one of the demands being raised by the nationals against the current PSC administration. Close to 800 athletes under the PSC with the other groups stay at the Philsports Complex in Pasig and at the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City.
"I understand their problems. That’s why we need to talk. We need to negotiate. They must give us a list of all the problems and we’ll see which one can be solved immediately. Kung hindi kaya ibigay agad, eh di pag-usapan later," said the PSC chief.
"And when we repair these quarters, where will these athletes stay? Do we rent pension houses for them? Or hotels? How much would it cost us? And we’re talking about 50 to 60 athletes for one wing alone. But first, where do we get the money to repair the quarters?" Tuason said.
Tuason said budgetary constraints have prevented the PSC from pushing through with its infrastructure projects, including maintenance and repairs of sports venues, this year.
"The General Appropriations Act did not give us enough budget this year so we had to forego of infrastructure and some maintenance projects instead of cutting down on our grassroots programs," said Tuason.
The PSC budget from the GAA, which also covers grassroots development and the salaries of PSC officials and employees, stood at P152 million last year but was reduced to P119 this year. For next year, it’s not even expected to go higher than P110 million.
"Masyadong maraming dapat gawin. But where do we get the money?" Tuason said.