MANILA, Philippines — A measure seeking to create the Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) has hurdled the second reading in the Senate last Wednesday and is slated for its third and final reading this week.
Senate Bill (SB) 1086, otherwise known as the “Philippine High School for Sports Act of 2019,” co-sponsored by Senate Committee on Sports chairman Sen. Bong Go, provides for the establishment of PHSS, enabling student-athletes to be enrolled in a sports high school where they are provided with full or partial scholarships by the government.
Go, a staunch advocate of long-term and grassroots sports development in the country, said in his previous statements the proposed bill will provide opportunities for students to complete high school while excelling in their chosen sports.
Athletes will be trained using the world-class sports facilities in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac which will also serve as the site for the proposed high school.
“With the (establishment) of the PHSS in very close proximity to world-class facilities, our student-athletes can enjoy a level of training which is at par with the best in the world. This type of training and education can catapult our student-athletes to illustrious careers in sports, whether as athletes, coaches, managers, or any other sports-related profession,” Go said.
Go also mentioned that his advocacy is also shared by President Duterte himself. In his 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President expressed his support for the passage of the bill establishing the nation’s sports academy.
Go also stated that he has already worked and consulted with concerned agencies and government departments on the measure.
“In pushing for the passage of this measure, I have closely coordinated with agencies, such as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and, of course, the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), to ensure that this bill, if passed, shall allow us to hit the ground running,” Go stated.
The Senator also said that these agencies share the same enthusiasm and passion to realize the dream that has already been, for others, “30 years too late.”