Congress ratifies academy of sports measure

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has ratified the measure creating a National Academy of Sports (NAS) aimed at enhancing the athletic skills and talents of Filipino students.

In a virtual session Tuesday afternoon, the chamber’s plenary voted to approve the bicameral conference committee report on the reconciled bills of the Lower House and the Senate establishing the National Academy of Sports System that could help sustain the sparkling performances of Filipino bets in the 30th Southeast Asian Games and even bigger events in the world stage.

Principal authors Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero cited the significance of developing athletes at a young age.

“Through this measure, we hope to inspire our youth to engage in sports and subsequently allow them to develop the essential traits to usher in a new generation,” Cayetano said.

The Speaker noted that the NAS would provide scholarships and other benefits for deserving students who have shown potential and talent in the field of athletics and sports – in the same manner that schools grant scholarships to students who excel academically.

Romero, for his part, stressed that the measure would not only develop national athletes by improving their levels, but would also help keep the nation’s youth from bad vices like illegal drugs.

“Sports teaches us discipline and instills passion, sacrifice, and patriotism among the youth and helps to bring positive transformation in the community. But more importantly, it is a potent tool to prevent young children from getting addicted to illegal drugs,” said the 1-Pacman representative, himself a national athlete who participated in the 30th SEA Games.

The bill provides that the construction of the main campus and its sports facilities and amenities shall be at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. Under the measure, a Board of Trustees shall be created with the Department of Education Secretary as chairperson and the Philippine Sports Commission chief as vice-chairperson.

The board shall be tasked to formulate policies for the operation of the NAS system; approve the curricula, course of study, and rules of discipline; approve scholarship grants, stipends, and other allowances; and identify the regional branches of the NAS System, among others.