Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4371

Introduced by Representative Katrina Reiko Chua-Tai

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish the Zamboanga City Sports Academy and Training
Center in Zamboanga City.

Section 19(1), Article XIV (Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture,
and Sports) of the Constitution provides that “The State shall promote physical
education and encourage sports programs, 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.”

Zamboanga City has long distinguished itself as a cradle of athletic excellence,
producing exceptional talents who have achieved remarkable success on both
national and international stages. Among its most notable basketball icons are
Alfonso R. Marquez, a two-time Olympian who represented the Philippines in the
1960 and 1968 Olympic Games; Rudy B. Lingganay, Jr. a prominent figure in the
Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL); Cris Michael S. Tolomia, whose
outstanding career began with the FEU Tamaraws in the University Athletic
Association of the Philippines (UAAP); and Andy Mark C. Barroca, a key player for
the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the Philippine Basketball Association
(PBA).

In the Olympic arena, Zamboanga City proudly claims two pioneering athletes:
Eumir Felix Marcial, bronze medalist in middleweight boxing at the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics, and Hidilyn F. Diaz-Naranjo, who etched her name in history by winning
the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in the women’s 55kg weightlifting
category at the same events.

These historic milestones reflect the innate athleticism, discipline, and
resilience of the people of Zamboanga City. However, despite these achievements,
homegrown athletes continue to face significant challenges arising from the absence
of modern training facilities, the scarcity of development programs, and inadequate
national government funding, These gaps greatly hinder the growth and potential of
future champions from the region.


The establishment of a dedicated sports academy and training center in
Zamboanga City shall ensure that the youth, local athletes, and emerging talents are
provided with access to a proper venue, state-of-the-art facilities, modern equipment,
and comprehensive training programs.

The facility shall serve as a principal hub for sports development in the
Zamboanga Peninsula, operating under the guidance and in coordination with the
Philippine Sports Commission. It shall feature world-class infrastructure, well-
structured training programs, and comprehensive athlete development,
encompassing various sporting disciplines. More than just an infrastructure project,
its establishment represents a strategic investment in the future of Filipino athletes,
the promotion of public health, and the bolstering of national pride.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

TRINA REIKO CHUA-TAI


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Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO4371

Introduced by Representative Katrina Reiko Chua-Tai

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE ZAMBOANGA CITY SPORTS ACADEMY AND
TRAINING CENTER IN THE CITY OF ZAMBOANGA AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

ECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Zamboanga
City Sports Academy and Training Center Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to
recognize sports as a vital instrument for fostering nationalism, promoting social
progress, and advancing holistic human development. The State shall promote
physical education, support participation in international competitions, and

guarantee equitable access to sports programs and opportunities, with particular


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emphasis on empowering the underprivileged, the elderly, persons with
disabilities, women, and children.

To this end, the State shall establish, maintain, and support a
comprehensive and integrated sports education and training system that advances
the athletic talents and skills of individuals of all ages, particularly the youth who
are the foundation of the country’s future in sports.

SEC. 3. Zamboanga City Sports Academy and Training Center. - The
Zamboanga City Sports Academy and Training Center, hereinafter referred to as.
the “Academy and Training Center” is hereby established in the City of
Zamboanga. The Academy and Training Center shall consist of the Zamboanga
City Sports Academy, hereinafter referred to as the “Academy,” and Zamboanga
City Sports Training Center, hereinafter referred to as the “Center,” which are
both located in a sports complex that shall be established for the purpose, to be
known as the Zamboanga City Sports Complex.

‘The Academy shall offer primary and secondary education designed to
develop the athletic skills and talents of students with notable potential in sports.
Its curriculum shall focus on academic learning and sports-related subjects that
may enhance the athletic abilities of the students.

The Center shall serve as an extension office of the Philippine Sports

Commission (PSC) for the conduct and implementation of its existing sports
programs and the primary venue for athletic training and related development

activities.


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SEC. 4. Sports Council. — A Sports Council, chaired by the Chairperson
of the PSC and composed of the Chairperson of the Games and Amusements
Board (GAB), Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), and Executive
Director of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) as members, is hereby created.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. — The Sports Council shall:

(a) Formulate and implement policies, plans, and programs that
promote the development and harness the potential of students and athletes;

(b) Provide an integrated curriculum framework to optimize the
potential of the students;

(c) Establish, maintain, and upgrade school facilities, equipment, and
training resources in accordance with national and international standards;

(d) Promote and sustain strategic partnerships and alliances with local,
national, and international sports organizations, educational institutions, and
training centers to enhance the competitiveness and exposure of students and
athletes;

(e) Monitor, review and revise, if necessary, the programs and projects
of the Academy and Training Center;

(f) Generate resources and obtain logistical and financial support for the
programs and projects of the Academy and Training Center;

(g) Accept donations, grants and endowments;

(h) Develop career advancement and continuing education programs for

its personnel, coaches, and trainers;


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(i) Establish guidelines for public-private partnerships in the
implementation of all its programs; and

(j) Perform such other functions as may be required to achieve the
objectives of this Act.

SEC. 6. Organizational Structure. — The management and operation of
the Academy and Training Center shall be headed by an executive director and
assisted by two (2) deputy directors to be appointed by the Sports Council. The
Academy and Center shall each be under the direct supervision of a deputy
director, who shall be responsible for its operation, maintenance, and program
implementation.

SEC. 7. Powers and Functions of the Executive Director. ~ The executive
director shall:

(a) Implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and
regulations determined by the Sports Council;

(b) Exercise administrative and supervisory functions over the planning,
implementation and evaluation of the policies and programs of the Academy and
Training Center;

(c) Prepare, recommend and submit to the Sports Council the budget of
the Academy and Training Center;

(a) Appoint the officers and employees of Academy and Training Center;


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(e) Submit regular and annual reports on the operations, status of
programs and projects, and the financial condition of the Academy and Training
Center to the Sports Council;

(f) Enter into contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of assets
of the Academy and Training Center, within the limits of the authority determined
by the Sports Council:

(g) Assist the Sports Council in generating and obtaining logistical and
financial support for the programs and projects of the Academy and Training
Center; and

(h) Exercise and perform such other powers, functions, and duties as
may be authorized or assigned by the Sports Council.

SEC. 8. Sectoral and Industry Task Forces. — The Sports Council may
create sectoral and industry task forces, technical working groups, advisory
bodies, or committees for the furtherance of the objectives of this Act. The
members of the sectoral and industry task forces may come from the agencies of
the national government, government-owned and -controlled corporations, local
government units, the academe, civil society organizations, sports organizations,
and sports-related industrial organizations. The manner of selection of such
members shall be provided under the rules and regulations to be formulated to
implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Human Resource Complement. — The Sports Council shall

recommend to the PSC, GAB and DepEd the number of personnel necessary for


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the operation of the Academy and Training Center. The PSC, GAB and DepEd
shall review such recommendation for the creation of positions in their respective
departments or agencies and submit the same to the Department of Budget and
Management for approval.

The City Government of Zamboanga may provide additional personnel for
the operation and maintenance of the Zamboanga City Sports Complex.

SEC. 10. Construction and Operation. — The construction and operation
of the Zamboanga City Sports Complex and the Academy and Training Center
shall be funded by the City of Zamboanga. The PSC and the Office of the
President of the Philippines may also provide funds for its construction and
operation.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current budgets of the
PSC, GAB, and DepEd. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act in the respective budget of the concerned agencies.

The City Government of Zamboanga may provide additional funding for
the operation and maintenance of the Zamboanga City Sports Complex and
Academy and Training Center as may be approved by their Sanggunian.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days

after the effectivity of this Act and convening of the Sports Council, the Sports


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Council shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

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. 14, Separability Clause, — If any section or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue to
be in full force and effect.

SEC. 15. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,