Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2662

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to expand the grant of non-monetary benefits and incentives
to national athletes, coaches and trainers, amending for the purpose Republic Act
No, 9064, otherwise known as the “National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers
Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.” This measure proposes that all national
athletes are provided adequate living quarters while they are training for
international competitions. Likewise, it proposes to give members of the national
training pool who have competed in international competitions the opportunity to
finish their studies and earn a degree by providing them with scholarships. These
athletes, coaches and trainers should, however, be recognized and accredited by the
Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Members of the various national training pools go thru arduous preparations
and vigorous training for months, or even years, to represent our country in
international competitions. The skill, hard work, dedication and perseverance of
our athletes have continuously brought pride and honor to our country despite the
pressure and the odds stacked against them.

Winning for flag and country is every national athlete’s goal but equally
important is one’s personal development and education. The challenge lies in
having a balanced approach in attaining life and sporting goals. Cognizant of the
sacrifices made by our national athletes and the honor they bring to our country,
the State should provide them the necessary support to allow them to attain both
goals.

Presently, RA 9064 provides scholarships to athletes who have won in
international competitions or to any one qualified member of their family within
the fourth civil degree of consanguinity in the form of tuition fees in state colleges
and universities in order to complete a college or university degree. “International


competitions” as defined in RA 9064 refer to international sports competitions
which are sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or held every
four (4) years including qualifying championships in team sports wherein only one
or two countries may qualify for the Olympics or world championships.

It is acknowledged that many national athletes are faced with the challenge
of reconciling their educational, training and competition schedules. For many
national athletes, it is part of their lives to sacrifice the precious time for school and
instead devote it for training. We are aware of the fact that some athletes who
made us proud during their prime were unable to earn a degree or even finish
secondary education. Then, they realize too late that they need education to have a
livelihood or a new profession after their career in sports is through.

It is recognized that in order for athletes to be fully successful and able to
integrate themselves back into society at the end of their sporting career, a
balanced approach to sports and education is crucial. This bill seeks to grant
scholarships not only to athletes who have won but also to those who have at least
represented the country in international competitions. The rigorous training and
competition, which an athlete needs to undertake and overcome before qualifying
for a slot in the national team to compete in international competitions, should be
enough reason for said athletes to deserve scholarships from the State.

It is also the intention of this bill to provide members of the national training
pools of the various National Sports Associations adequate living quarters and
regional training centers for their training and preparations for competitions.

In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.

LUCY IE TORRES-GOMEZ


Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2662

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez.

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE GRANT OF NON-MONETARY BENEFITS AND
INCENTIVES TO NATIONAL ATHLETES, COACHES AND TRAINERS
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9064,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL ATHLETES, COACHES AND
TRAINERS BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT OF 2001”

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

SECTION 1. A new paragraph shall be added to Section 4 of Republic Act
No. 9064 to be designated as paragraph (g) to read as follows:
“Section 4. Benefits and Privileges for National Athletes,
Coaches and Trainers. — Any national athlete, coach and trainer who
is currently registered as such before the PSC shall be entitled to the
following:
(a) xx

XxX ox xxx


(e) priority in existing livelihood programs being undertaken
by various government agencies subject to the guidelines and
qualifications by the implementing body; [and]

(f) priority in national housing programs, affordable “pabahay”
loans and other housing opportunities subject to the guidelines and
qualifications set by the National Housing Authority (NHA) or the
Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)[.]; AND

(G) THE USE OF LIVING QUARTERS AND REGIONAL
TRAINING CENTERS WHICH SHALL BE SET-UP AND
MAINTAINED BY THE PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION
(PSC) FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF NATIONAL
ATHLETES WHILE PREPARING AND TRAINING FOR
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.”

SEC. 2. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 5. Scholarships. — A national athlete who
COMPETES OR wins in an international competition or any one
qualified member of [his/her] THE WINNING ATHLETE’S
immediate family within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity shall
be entitled to scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state
colleges and universities in order to complete a college or university

degree. The NATIONAL ATHLETE WHO COMPETES IN AN


INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION [winning national athlete]
shall likewise be given priority in the availment of state college and
university scholarship grants.

Likewise, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and
the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA)
shall give priority to winning and qualified national athletes who seek
scholarship grants and study under their programs subject to the
qualifications for all applicants.

Private colleges and universities shall likewise be encouraged
to adopt a similar program in their institutions for [winning] national
athletes WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN INTERNATIONAL

COMPETITIONS.”

SEC. 3. Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the PSC, in

coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), CHED, TESDA, and

other concerned government agencies shall promulgate such rules and regulations

necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the

Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,