Ilocos Norte Sports Institute and Research (Inspire)

Senate Dffice of te so tectarg TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 SEP 11 P1:42 SENATE 1385 S.B. No. RECEIVED BY Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE ILOCOS NORTE SPORTS INSTITUTE AND RESEARCH (INSPIRE) IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that "the State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development." Further, Article XIV, Section 19 of the same Constitution provides that "The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry." In fulfillment of this constitutional mandate, and inspired by the recent triumphs of our world-class athletes, this bill seeks to strengthen our country's sports development program. The historic gold medal victory of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo 2021 was followed by the spectacular double- gold performance of gymnast Carlos Yulo at the Paris 2024 Olympics. These triumphs underscore the value of a systematic, grassroots-level talent identification program. According to a publication of Bustle, for most athletes competing, that kind of talent which captivates the world was built after years and years of training; and for a large number of Olympic-level athletes, training to participate in the Olympic Games starts as early as childhood. Simone Biles was reportedly six years old when she began training to be a gymnast. Michael Phelps began training to be the Olympic swimmer when he was seven years old; and snowboarder Chloe Kim began snowboarding at four years old, and entered her first competition when she was six years old. Recognizing this need, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte has taken a proactive step by launching its own flagship project, the Ilocos Norte Sports Institute and Research (INSPIRE), and has begun developing necessary facilities. This local initiative is a crucial and commendable first step which requires long-term

sustainability and ability to operate at a national standard. This bill, therefore, seeks to institutionalize and build upon the provincial government's project, elevating INSPIRE into a nationally-recognized sports academy that will serve as a premier training hub. This bill which the undersigned also filed in the 18th and 19th Congresses, therefore, seeks to institutionalize and build upon the provincial governments project, elevating INSPIRE into a nationally-recognized sports academy in the Province Ilocos Norte, which will serve as an exclusive educational facility for special program for sports, sports tract, and primary and indigenous sports development and training center. INSPIRE will also serve as a research center for sports medicine and nutrition for athletes. In view of the foregoing, the expeditious passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Freé h. Marca AMEER. MARCOS

Senate no Office of the En. Mary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session SEP 11 P1:42 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1385 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE ILOCOS NORTE SPORTS INSTITUTE AND RESEARCH (INSPIRE) IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Establishment. - There shall be established in the Province of Ilocos

2 Norte a sports academy to be known as Ilocos Norte Sports Institute and Research 3 (INSPIRE), which shall be an exclusive and specialized educational facility for sports, 4 sports tract, and primary and indigenous sports development and training center, as well as a research center for sports medicine and nutrition for athletes.

SEC. 2. Role of the Government. - The local government of Ilocos Norte, in

8 coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and other concerned 9 government agencies, shall lead the initial establishment and operationalization of 10 INSPIRE. It shall take the necessary steps to upgrade, improve and modernize existing 11 facilities, equipment and personnel, and integrate them into the newly created INSPIRE; and create the necessary training programs, competitions, as well as a management system for the maintenance of the facilities to accomplish the objectives and purposes of this Act.

SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The funds for the initial construction, establishment,

17 and upgrading shall be sourced primarily from the local government of Ilocos Norte. Such funds may be augmented by grants from the PSC and other national government 19 agencies. Thereafter, the funds required for the annual maintenance and operations

of INSPIRE shall be included in the budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the

5 approval of this Act, the PSC, in coordination with the DepEd, and the local 6 government of Ilocos Norte, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days after its enactment into law.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,