National Sports Tourism Program Act

Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JAN 26 P1:40 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY. S. No. 1686 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL SPORTS TOURISM PROGRAM, CREATING THE NATIONAL SPORTS TOURISM COUNCIL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Sports tourism is becoming one of the most dynamic, fastest-growing, and lucrative sectors of the global travel industry. Estimates by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) show that the sector generates around 10% of the world's expenditure on tourism, with an estimated growth rate of 17.5% between 2023 to 20301. The positive experience of different countries which hosted prominent tournaments further underscore the immense potential and valuable impact of sports into national economies - provides jobs, boosts tourist arrivals, and enhances the appeal and image of the country before the international community. Following its hosting of the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup in 2022, Qatar attracted over 2.56 million visitors in August 2023 which exceeded the full year arrival figures compared to previous year by 157%. Similarly, Barcelona reaped long-term benefits of staging the Olympic Games in 1992 which "supercharged its ailing economy, bolstered its infrastructure and gave the city a global profile that it 1 https://www.untourism.int/sport-tourism 2 "Positive Legacy of FIFA World Cup™ Boosts Qatar's Tourism Sector, with 157% Surge in Year-on-Year Visitor Numbers." September 3, 2023. https://www.qatartourism.com/en/news-and-media/press- releases/positive legacy offifaworldcupboostsqatar-stourismsectorwith157-

translated into a 30-year tourism boom. 3" Barcelona's general unemployment rate fell from 18.4% to 9.6 % between 1986 and 1992, while Spain's national figures in the same period fell from 20.9% to 15.5%*. After the Games, tourism in Barcelona continued to grow: Barcelona welcomed 1.7 million visitors in 1992, a number which had increased to 7.4 million in 2011 and 8.3 million in 20155. In addition, circuit races and adventure/recreational pursuits (such as deep sea diving, surfing, and marathons) have not only drawn large foreign crowds, but also left lasting legacies for host countries in terms of enhanced visibility and exposure, upgrade of facilities and athletic skills to world-class standards, and promotion of healthy lifestyles. The 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress cited that places that hosted major sport events experienced 10-20% increase in youth sports participation within five (5) years following the event®. This measure aims to strengthen and reinforce the sports tourism program of the country, banking on the highly successful Philippine hosting stints of the FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) World Cup in 2023 - which drew a phenomenal attendance of 38,115 fans in the opening day, and the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) Men's World Championship in 2025 - which recorded the highest attended final match with 16,429 spectators. It seeks to institutionalize the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) led by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) created under Administrative Order No. 38 (s. 2025) into a National Sports Tourism Council which shall harmonize, coordinate and oversee all government initiatives to develop and promote sports tourism in the country. As the country gears up and prepares to host a number of sports events, including the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open, AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup, Asia and Oceania Sambo Championship, and FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2027', it is 3 "Everything you need to know about sports tourism." January 23, 2025. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/why-sports-tourism-is-on-the-rise 4 https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/economic-growth-and-tourism 5 Ibid 6 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress Summary Report. Accessed through on 15 January 2026 7 Presentation of the Philippine Sports Commission to the Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittee G. October 8, 2025.

crucial that we sustain and build on the momentum and harness the potential of sports tourism towards poverty alleviation and inclusive development. In view of the foregoing and to position the Philippines as a premier sports destination where one can truly experience the trademark Filipino warmth and hospitality, the passage of this legislation is recommended. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

Deltate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 JAN 26 P1:40 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1686 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL SPORTS TOURISM PROGRAM, CREATING THE NATIONAL SPORTS TOURISM COUNCIL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Sports Tourism

Program Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to prioritize education,

science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, 7 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. The State declares tourism as an invaluable and integral element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socioeconomic growth and inclusive development and a source of national pride for all Filipinos.

Sec. 3. National Sports Tourism Program. - There shall be a National Sports

Tourism Program which shall be formulated and implemented by the National Sports

Tourism Council created under Section 4 of this Act in accordance with the following principles: a) It shall integrate sustainable tourism development best practices which take full account of the current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities; b) It shall be consistent with grassroots sports development program, and the broader objectives of health and wellness promotion, and participation of the younger generation in sports; c) It shall take into consideration the country's competitive advantage, historic achievements in the international stage, and general public interest, such as but not limited to boxing and combat sports, tennis, athletics, weightlifting, gymnastics, billiards, bowling, among others; d) It shall be an empowering and inclusive program for all, including women, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities or para-athletes, ensuring accessibility and equal opportunities; e) It shall be aligned with the approved National Tourism Development Plan, or any subsequent iterations thereof; f) It shall address the upgrade and modernization of sports facilities and related infrastructure, elevating the same to world-class standards, while adopting multi-purpose venues for year-round use; and g) It shall support the national and countryside economic objectives, and employment generation thrusts of the country.

Sec. 4. National Sports Tourism Council. - The National Sports Tourism Council

(NSTC) is hereby organized for the purpose of harmonizing, coordinating, and overseeing the development, promotion, and implementation of sports tourism initiatives, including the bidding for and hosting of strategic, high-level, and high- impact international sporting events, and the facilitation of large-scale domestic sports tourism activities, consistent with existing laws, rules and regulations. The NSTC shall be composed of the heads of the following agencies: Chairperson: Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Vice Chairperson: Department of Tourism (DOT)

Members: a) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); b) Games and Amusements Board (GAB); c) Department of Budget and Management (DBM); d) Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA); e) Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR); and f) Two (2) Private Sector Representatives, who shall be designated by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, and shall come from the tourism sector. The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and ex-officio members of the NSTC may designate their respective alternates, with ranks not lower than Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, who shall be fully authorized to decide for or on their behalf. The NSTC may invite other concerned government agencies, as well as local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations, civil society groups, the academe, and other stakeholders as observers and/or resource persons to aid in the performance of its duties and functions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

Sec. 5. Duties and Functions. - The NSTC shall perform the following duties

and functions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations: a) Formulate a long-term sports tourism program in the country as provided under Section 3 of this Act, which shall serve as a comprehensive strategic framework and time-bound roadmap for the country's sports tourism; b) Recommend policies, plans, activities, budgetary allocations, and programs towards the development of sports tourism in the country; c) Lead the inter-agency, multi-stakeholder coordination and collaboration under a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach in mobilizing resources and executing plans and strategies ultimately towards the successful hosting of prestige sporting events in different parts of the country; d) Identify and pursue bids for the hosting of strategic, high-level, high-impact, and large-scale international sporting events, in coordination with relevant international sports governing bodies, sports associations, and other government agencies, including LGUs, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations;

e) Formulate and implement marketing and promotional strategies, as well as offer incentives, to maximize the economic, cultural, and social benefits of sports tourism; f) Ensure the development and completion of sports-related and multi-purpose infrastructure in the country consistent with existing laws, rules and regulations, including various national and regional development plans; g) Enter into contracts, agreements or partnerships with other government agencies or private entities and individuals to support sports tourism projects and activities; h) In accordance with the provisions of applicable laws, rules and regulations, and through the PSC or any of the member-agencies of the NSTC, accept donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts from domestic or foreign sources, for purposes relevant to its mandates and functions; i) As may be necessary, create, convene and reorganize task forces and/or working groups to assist in the performance of its duties and functions; j) Monitor and evaluate sports tourism projects of the government, and submit annual reports to the Senate and the House of Representatives; k) Request assistance of any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the government, as may be necessary in the discharge of its functions; I) Recommend and coordinate the allocation of funds or technical assistance from member-agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCS), and government financial institutions (GFIs) authorized by their respective charters to support tourism and sports development, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations; and m) Perform such other functions as may be necessary towards the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. Secretariat. - The PSC shall serve as Secretariat of the NSTC, and shall

be tasked to provide the necessary technical, administrative and operations support to the NSTC.

Sec. 7. Executive Committee. - To assist the NSTC, an Executive Committee is

hereby created consisting of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the NSTC, the Heads of TIEZA and PAGCOR, and such other members as the Chairperson may designate, or their duly authorized representatives.

Sec. 8. Convergence. - All concerned government agencies are hereby directed,

and all LGUs and the private sector are hereby encouraged, to render full support to and cooperation with the NSTC to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of this Act.

Sec. 9. Funding. - The funding requirements for the initial implementation of

this Act shall be charged against the current and available appropriations of PSC, DOT, DILG, and DBM, the annual corporate operating budget (COB) of TIEZA and PAGCOR, and such other sources as may be determined by the DBM, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations. Thereafter, the funding requirements for the continued implementation of this 15 Act shall be included in the budget proposals of PSC, DOT, DILG, and DBM, and the annual COB of TIEZA and PAGCOR, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

letters of instruction, proclamations, or administrative orders, rules or regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 23 accordingly.

Sec. 12. 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,