Department of Sports Act of 2025

Altime of te seritn TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 10 P6:04 S. B. No.. RECENTO LY INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 EXPLANATORY NOTE "We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution." The national vision embodied in the 1987 Constitution, through its Preamble, requires a citizenry with a strong foundation of discipline, teamwork, commitment, and resilience. Sports is a powerful, primary instrument for the formation of these values. It teaches us to strive, to collaborate, and to maintain not just physical fitness, but total mental, emotional, and even spiritual formation and health. Beyond character formation, which is invaluable, sports and sports tourism represent a huge opportunity for the Philippines. Globally, sports tourism is emerging as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the tourism industry. The global sports tourism market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.43% between 2024 and 2032, from USD 544.38 billion in 2023 to USD 2,089.58 billion by 2032. Our own experience confirms this potential. The 2019 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games generated over Php 500 million in revenue. On a larger scale, co- " World Tourism Forum Institute (2025). The Explosive Growth of the Sports Tourism Market: A $2 Trillion Opportunity by 2032. https://live.worldtourismforum.net/news/Catch-up-the-latest-news-in-tourism-industry/The-Explosive-Growth-of-the-Sports-Tourism- Market-A-2-Trillion-Opportunity-by-2032 2 Partlow, M. Philippine News Agency (2019). Sports tourism boosts tourist arrivals in Dumaguete. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088794

hosting the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup created an economic impact of Php 17.8 billion. 3 Projections for hosting a single future event like the Volleyball World Championship estimate a total economic impact of over USD 40 million and an alignment with a destination tourism market valued at USD 5.4 billion.4 Yet, despite our proven capability to host world-class events and earning praise for our people's renowned hospitality, we fail to consistently translate this potential into lasting national success. For too many Filipinos, sports remains a dream rather than a viable and honored profession. It is a calling we deny to our own people because we lack the right systems, support, and structures. This systemic weakness is most evident in the Olympics. The long wait between the 1996 boxing silver medal by Mansueto Velasco and Hidilyn Diaz's historic gold in weightlifting in 2020 highlights the challenges faced by Filipino athletes in reaching their full potential on the world's biggest sporting stage. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), established in 1990 through Republic Act No. 6847, is mandated to, among others, "provide the leadership, formulate the policies and set the priorities and direction of all national amateur sports promotion and development, particularly giving emphasis on grassroots participation." However, its focus on grassroots participation may not fully address the needs of elite athletes to compete at the highest levels of sports competitions. In 2001, Republic Act No. 9155 or the "Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001" abolished the Bureau of Physical Education and School Sports (BPESS) and transferred "[alll functions, programs and activities of the Department of Education related to sports competition" to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). While physical education remains in the curriculum, this shift has weakened overall sports development. This measure will address the perennial challenges that hinder the growth of Philippine sports. This bill proposes the creation of a Department of Sports, a cabinet-level agency that will provide focused leadership for national sports promotion and development, and address the needs of athletes, coaches, trainers, and sports officials across all levels. With a dedicated department, we can find comprehensive solutions to the problems besetting Philippine sports, particularly the lack of a coherent national sports program, the need to enhance the partnership with various sectors involved in sports, obsolete training methods, lack of modern and high-quality training facilities, equipment, and sports venues. Hence, the approval of this Bill is earnestly requested. MANPLE AERO-S CANETAO 3 Henson, J. The Philippine Star (2024). P17.8 billion impact from FIBA World Cup https://www.philstar.com/sports/2024/02/03/2330530/p178-billion-impact-fiba-world-cup 4 Projections from Volleyball World Championship

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 10 • P6:04 S. B. No. 423 RECEIVLD INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 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. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Department of

Sports Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the

4 State: (a) To recognize the role of citizens, especially the youth, in nation-building, promote and ensure equal access to sports and other physical recreational activities regardless of sex, gender, race, or socioeconomic status, and protect and preserve desirable social, cultural, moral, and spiritual values in a changing world. (b) To promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports at the grassroots level to foster self- discipline, teamwork, and the development of a healthy and alert citizenry; (c) To institute a focused and comprehensive program for the training of national athletes for international competitions, with the goal of achieving excellence on the world stage, thereby inspiring patriotism and fostering national pride; (d) To recognize the importance of promoting excellence in sports to foster patriotism, nationalism, gallantry, accelerate social progress, and contribute to total human development; (e) To insulate the national sports development program from partisan politics, ensuring that programs are implemented based on merit and not used as instruments for political patronage or personal aggrandizement of any public

(f) To ensure that the delivery of services, funding, and support to athietes, coaches, and sports organizations is efficient, timely, and free from unnecessary bureaucratic red tape; (g) To create the infrastructure and promote capacity building for broad-based sports and to achieve excellence in various competitive events at the national and international levels.

Sec. 3. Creation of the Department of Sports. - There is hereby created

the Department of Sports, hereinafter referred to as the "Department", which shall carry out the above-declared policy and assume the promotion and development of sports and physical fitness in the country.

Sec. 4. Mandate. - The Department shall be the primary policy, planning,

coordinating, implementing, regulating, and administrative entity of the executive branch of the Government that will formulate, promote, and develop the national 14 sports development agenda for the country.

Sec. 5. Powers and Functions. — To carry out its mandate, the

Department shall: (a) Formulate, adopt, and implement a comprehensive national sports development plan, as well as other policies, programs, and guidelines that will promote the development and harness the potential of all Filipino athletes, coaches, and trainers, with due consideration to their welfare and potential for success as national athletes competing locally and internationally; (b) Plan, implement, and oversee an integrated sports promotion and development program for the country, in coordination with the various sectors involved in sports, including but not limited to the national sports association, sports organization, and private stakeholders; (c) Oversee and support the participation of athletes in domestic and international sports competitions; (d) Establish and maintain linkages with international sports federations, national sports organizations of other countries, and international non- governmental organizations; (e) Establish, develop, and maintain world-class, fully-equipped sports facilities and centers in strategic places in the country and, as far as practicable, include modern sports complexes adequate for hosting major international competitions; (f) Acquire, use, and control any land, buildings, facilities, equipment, instruments, tolls, and rights required or otherwise necessary for the accomplishment of the objective of the department; (g) Supervise and improve the standard of sports coaches and coaching staff;

(h) Ensure a sustainable funding mechanism for the implementation of sports policies, plans, programs, projects, and other activities. In recognition of the autonomy of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as the representative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the respective National Sports Associations (NSAs, the authority to select the athletes and coaches who will form the official national team for IOC-sanctioned competitions such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games, shall remain the prerogative of the relevant NSAs as recognized by the 9 POC.

Sec. 6. The National Sports Development Agenda. - The Department

shall formulate and implement a unified National Sports Development Agenda, which shall serve as the blueprint for the country's short, medium, and long-term sports development. The Agenda shall be comprehensive, athlete-centered, and inclusive. It shall have, at a minimum, the following mandatory components: (a) Grassroots Sports Promotion - Programs to ensure broad-based public involvement in sports and physical recreational activities, especially among the youth; (b) Elite Sports Development - A focused program for the identification, training, and comprehensive support of national athletes and teams for success in international competitions, including but not limited to the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games; (c) Sports Science and Education - Integration of modern sports science, medicine, nutrition, and technology into athlete training and development programs; (d) Sports Infrastructure - A master plan for the development, maintenance, and modernization of sports facilities across the country, ensuring they meet national and international standards; (e) Coaching and Human Resource Development - Programs for the continuous education, certification, and professionalization of coaches, trainers, and sports officials; (f) Public-Private Sector Partnership - A framework to encourage and manage collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to generate resources and support for sports; (g) Sports for All - Programs that ensure equal access for persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities.

Sec. 7. Organization. —

A. Secretary — The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Department and for the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary of Sports, who shall be

appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. The Secretary shall have the following functions: (1) Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations of the Department and its attached agencies; (2) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient, and economical operation of the Department, in accordance with the programs of government; (3) Review and approve requests for financial and manpower resources of all operating offices of the Department; (4) Designate and appoint officers and employees of the excluding undersecretaries, assistant Department, secretaries, regional executive directors, and assistant regional directors, in accordance with all relevant civil service rules; (5) Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees of the Department in accordance with law, including their investigation and the designation of a committee or officer to conduct investigations; (6) Coordinate with other agencies, as well as public and private interest groups, including non-government organizations, on the Department's policies and initiatives; (7) Prepare and submit to the President through the Department of Budget and Management an estimate of the necessary expenditures of the Department during the next fiscal year, on the basis of the reports submitted by the bureaus and offices under his/her jurisdiction; (8) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative orders, and formulation of regulatory and legislative proposals on matters pertaining to sports programs; (9) Formulate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers as may be required to implement the objectives of this Act; and (10) Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law or assigned by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. B. Undersecretaries. — There shall be five (5) undersecretaries who shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary and the Career Service Executive Board, which shall consist of the following positions: (a) Undersecretary for Administration and Finance;

(b) Undersecretary for Legal Affairs; (c) Undersecretary for Policy and Planning; (d) Undersecretary for Operations; and (e) Undersecretary for Public Information and Domestic and International Relations. C. Assistant Secretaries. — Each Undersecretary shall be assisted by at least one (1) Assistant Secretary who shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary. Each Assistant Secretary shall be assigned to head a key service, bureau, or functional cluster of the Department, and shall perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law or delegated by the Secretary. D. Regional Executive Directors. — There shall be a Regional Executive Director in each region who shall be responsible for efficiently and effectively carrying out the duties and responsibilities of his office. E. Structure and Staffing Pattern. — The organizational framework and staffing pattern of the Department shall be prescribed and approved by the Secretary within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, and the authorized position created therein shall be approved by the Department of Budget and Management, which shall be filled through the job opportunity list of the Civil Service Commission Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions.

Sec. 8. Qualifications. - No person shall be appointed Secretary,

Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary of the Department unless he or she is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, of proven integrity and possesses at least ten (10) years of proven experience and recognized competence in sports administration, sports management, physical education, or a related field.

Sec. 9. Reorganization of Relevant Agencies. — The Philippine Sports

Commission is hereby abolished, and its powers and functions, applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment, property, and personnel are transferred to the Department. The Games and Amusement Board and the National Academy of Sports shall retain their powers and functions but be attached to the Department, which shall have overall supervision over them.

Sec. 10. Incentives for Private Sector Support. — (a) All donations,

contributions, bequests, and grants to the Department shall be exempt from donor's tax and shall be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

(b) The importation of sports equipment, instruments, and capital equipment shall be exempt from customs duties, taxes, and tariffs: Provided, That such sports equipment, instruments, and capital equipment are not available locally in the same quality and for the same price. (c) The Department may, in recognition of significant contributions, authorize the naming of sports facilities, programs, or events after a donor or any person of their choosing, subject to the rules and regulations which shall be promulgated by the Secretary. Such recognition shall be granted in a manner that upholds the public interest and the integrity of the national sports program. (d) All delegations or representatives to any international competition, conventions, meetings, and events shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax, airport tax, and other related taxes or fees now or hereafter imposed by laws or regulations.

Sec. 11. Sports Facilities. - The administration, supervision, and full

control of all existing sports facilities, including land, buildings, and equipment, owned by the national government as well as those owned by a government- funded foundation, organization, association, and entity shall be transferred to the Department. Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the Department shall conduct a comprehensive inventory and assessment of all sports facilities, land, and properties transferred to it. This assessment shall determine their current physical condition, operational status, and potential for modernization or redevelopment. The findings shall be used as the basis for the formulation of a National Sports Infrastructure Master Plan, which shall guide future investments and ensure the optimal use of government assets for sports development.

Sec. 12. Reportorial Requirements. — The Department together with the

Attached Agencies shall, within ninety (90) days after the end of every fiscal year, submit to the Congress an annual report on the status of the implementation of this Act including but not limited to the organization and its operation, application, administration, execution, the effectiveness of its programs, and public expenditures as may be determined by the Congressional Oversight Committee. The annual report should also include the Department's accomplishments under this Act, together with its plans and recommendations to improve and develop its capability to enforce its provisions, and a complete accounting of transactions with respect to any funds received under this Act.

Sec. 13. Appropriations. — The amount needed for the initial

implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current year's appropriations of the PSC by virtue of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 14. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act or the

application of such provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the remainder of this Act or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of any law, whether general

or special, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. Approved,