Bill establishing National Academy for Sports signed into law

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS).

RA 11470 establishes the academy’s main campus at the existing New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.  It shall be equipped with the necessary sports facilities, housing, and other amenities which are at par with international standards. It would also set up future nationally-funded regional high schools for sports.

The NAS will be implementing a quality and enhanced secondary education program, with a special curriculum on sports. This program will be geared towards early recognition and development of talented students, especially those who have shown potential to excel in sports. The curriculum’s design will consider the students’ training needs while providing for holistic quality education.

According to Rep. Victor Yap (2nd District, Tarlac), principal author of the measure in the House of Representatives, the bill seeks to provide a conducive educational environment that develops athletes into mature, self-directed, life-long learners with a focus on pursuing excellence in sports and physical education while achieving academic excellence.

He expressed optimism that this legislation can shape the future of Philippine sports.

“A good standing in international competitions will not only improve international perception, but will also boost the national morale and would create a positive domino effect of support for the national athletes, which is an essential tool for national unity,” Rep. Yap concluded.

Rep. Yap expressed gratitude to the President for signing the bill into law.  He also thanked Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture, Senator Pia Cayetano, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Senator Sonny Angara, authors in the Senate, and Representative Roman Romulo, Chair of House Committee Basic Education and Culture and the other authors Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano (Taguig City-Pateros, 1^st Dt.), Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1^st Dt.), Reps. Wilfrido Enverga (Quezon, 1^st Dt.), Villafuerte, Michael Romero (Partylist 1-PACMAN), Roberto Puno (Antipolo City, 1^st Dt.), Yedda Marie Romualdez (Partylist Tingog Sinirangan), Henry Villarica (Bulacan, 4^th Dt.), Alyssa Sheena Tan (Isabela, 4^th Dt.), Jose Enrique Garcia III (Bataan, 2^nd. Dt.), Joy Myra Tambunting (Paranaque City, 2^nd Dt.), Velasco, Paolo Z. Duterte (Davao City, 1^st Dt.), Maria Laarni Cayetano (Taguig City-Pateros, 2nd Dt.), Abraham Tolentino (Cavite, 8^th Dt.), and Eric Martinez (Valenzuela, 2^nd Dt.) for shepherding the legislation.

President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed support for the NAS since his 2019 State of the Nation Address, citing the piece of legislation as long overdue.