Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._2378

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE EXPANDED SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR SPORTS
(SPS+) IN MAJOR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS, ESTABLISHING CAREER
PATHWAYS IN SPORTS SCIENCES, PROVIDING FOR TESDA CERTIFICATION
AND COLLEGE LADDERIZATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The promotion of physical education and sports development is crucial in fostering
holistic growth, improving the overall health of the youth, and preparing them for a range of
career opportunities. However, despite the growing recognition of sports as a vital component
of youth development, there is still a significant gap in career pathways for students pursuing
sports-related fields, particularly for those in public high schools.

While the Department of Education has organized events like the Palarong Pambansa,
a national multi-sport competition for student-athletes, the opportunities for career progression
in the sports sector remain limited due to the lack of a comprehensive, structured pathway for
student-athletes. Without proper support, these young individuals often face challenges in
further developing their sports careers or transitioning into other sports-related professions.

This bill seeks to address this gap by expanding the Special Program for Sports (SPS)
in all major public high schools through the establishment of the Expanded Special Program
for Sports (SPS+). The SPS+ will provide a career-oriented, comprehensive curriculum
designed to train student-athletes in physical education, sports science, nutrition, rehabilitation,
and coaching, alongside academic subjects required for higher education. By institutionalizing
the SPS+ program, this bill will create career pathways that promote employability in the sports
industry, ensuring that students have a clear route from high school to the workforce or higher
education.

The main features of this bill include:
1, Curriculum Development: The SPS+ curriculum will introduce specialized tracks in

physical education, sports nutrition, rehabilitation, and coaching. These tracks will

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align with industry needs, equipping students with skills that are not only relevant to
sports careers but also transferable to other fields such as health, fitness, and wellness.

2. TESDA Certification: Graduates of the SPS+ program will be eligible to earn National
Certificates (NC) from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), validating their competencies in sports sciences under the Philippine
Qualifications Framework. This certification will enhance their employability in
various sports-related roles.

3. College Ladderization: The bill introduces a college ladderization system, where SPS+
graduates can eam academic credits toward college degrees in sports science, physical
education, or related fields. This initiative will provide a seamless transition for students
from high school to tertiary education, further improving their career opportunities.

4. Establishment of Sports Science Hubs: The bill mandates the creation of specialized
Sports Science Hubs, which will serve as practical training facilities for students
pursuing career pathways in SPS+. These hubs will also provide certification programs
in partnership with TESDA, offering hands-on learning experiences for students to
develop their competencies.

5. Career Support Services: To ensure the success of SPS+ graduates, the bill includes
provisions for job placement assistance, entrepreneurship training, and scholarship
programs. These services will help graduates secure employment or establish their own
sports-related businesses, further supporting the development of the sports sector.

The SPS+ initiative will also empower local government units (LGUs) to allocate Special

Education Fund (SEF) resources for the implementation of sports education programs, ensuring
that funding is equitably distributed across regions. Through these local efforts, the bill seeks
to enhance the infrastructure, teacher training, and student services necessary to foster sports
excellence across the country.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

\DRIAN SALCEDA

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

2378

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE EXPANDED SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR SPORTS
(SPS+) IN MAJOR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS, ESTABLISHING CAREER
PATHWAYS IN SPORTS SCIENCES, PROVIDING FOR TESDA CERTIFICATION
AND COLLEGE LADDERIZATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. —This Act shall be known as the "Expanded Special Program
for Sports (SPS+) Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State shall promote inclusive, accessible, and
career-oriented sports education to develop globally competitive athletes and sports
professionals while ensuring employability in diverse fields. It shall expand the Special
Program for Sports to all major public high schools, integrate career pathways in sports
sciences, and align with Republic Act No. 11235, otherwise known as the TESDA Act, and
Republic Act No. 9155, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic Education Act, to provide
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority certification and college ladderization.
The State shall leverage the Special Education Fund of local government units, ensure equitable
resource allocation, and implement anti-corruption safeguards to empower youth and advance
sports development and employment opportunities.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined as follows:

(a) Special Program for Sports (SPS) refers to the specialized curriculum under the K-
12 Program of the Department of Education, designed to develop student-athletes’ skills in
competitive sports while meeting basic education requirements;

(b) Expanded Special Program for Sports (SPS+) refers to the enhanced SPS curriculum
that includes career pathways in physical education, nutrition, rehabilitation, and coaching,
with provisions for TESDA certification and college ladderization;

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(©) Career Pathways in Sports Sciences refer to specialized learning tracks within the
SPS+ that equip students with skills in physical education, sports nutrition, sports
rehabilitation, and coaching, applicable to sports-related and transferable employment;

(d) TESDA Certification refers to National Certificates issued by the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority, validating competency in specific sports science
skills under the Philippine Qualifications Framework;

(©) College Ladderization refers to the mechanism allowing SPS+ graduates to earn
credits toward college degrees in sports science, physical education, or related fields, as
recognized by the Commission on Higher Education;

(f) Major Public High Schools refer to public secondary schools designated by the
Department of Education as having sufficient student populations, facilities, or regional
significance to implement the SPS+;

(g) Sports Science Hubs refer to school- or LGU-based facilities for training,
certification, and career development in sports sciences, operated in partnership with TESDA,
higher education institutions, or private sector partners; and

(h) Special Education Fund (SEF) refers to the fund established under Republic Act
No. 5447, derived from a one percent additional tax on real property, administered by local
school boards to support educational programs and facilities.

SEC. 4. Establishment of the Expanded Special Program for Sports (SPS+). ~ The
Expanded Special Program for Sports is hereby established in all major public high schools, as
identified by the Department of Education, to provide a career-oriented sports curriculum. The
SPS+ shall operate with the following features:

(a) Curriculum Development. The SPS+ curriculum shall be developed to include
career pathways and ensure employability. The curriculum shall include the following:

(1) A physical education track shall be offered to train students in teaching,
fitness coaching, and sports program management;

(2) A nutrition track shall be provided to equip students with skills in sports
nutrition, dietary planning, and food safety;

(3) A rehabilitation track shall be established to prepare students for roles in
sports therapy, injury prevention, and physical rehabilitation; and

(4) A coaching track shall be implemented to develop competencies in sports
coaching, team management, and athlete development.

(>) Implementation Mechanisms. The implementation of SPS+ shall involve
coordinated efforts among government agencies and partners. The following mechanisms shall
be adopted:

(1) The Department of Education shall integrate SPS+ into the K-12 Program,
ensuring compliance with Republic Act No. 10533, otherwise known as the Enhanced
Basic Education Act;

(2) TESDA shall develop National Certificate Levels I to IV for SPS+ tracks,
aligned with the Philippine Qualifications Framework;

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(3) The Commission on Higher Education shall establish ladderization
agreements with higher education institutions to grant college credits for SPS+
graduates; and

(4) Local government units shall allocate Special Education Fund resources for
SPS+ implementation, including curriculum support, teacher training, and facilities, in
coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

(c) Career Support. Career support services shall be provided to SPS+ graduates to
enhance employability. The following services shall be offered:

(1) Job placement assistance shall be facilitated through partnerships with the
Department of Labor and Employment and private sector sports organizations;

(2) Entrepreneurship training shall be provided to enable graduates to establish
sports-related businesses, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry;
and

(3) Scholarship programs shall be established for SPS+ graduates pursuing
sports science degrees, supported by local government units through the Special
Education Fund or private sector partnerships.

SEC. 5. Sports Science Hubs. - The Department of Education, in coordination with
TESDA, the Philippine Sports Commission, and local government units, shall establish sports
science hubs to support SPS+ implementation, funded through the Special Education Fund.
The hubs shall undertake the following:

(a) Practical training facilities for physical education, nutrition, rehabilitation, and
coaching tracks shall be provided;

(b) TESDA certification programs for SPS+ students shall be conducted in partnership
with accredited training providers;

(©) Career counseling and job placement services shall be offered in collaboration with
the Department of Labor and Employment; and

(4) Partnerships with private sector sports organizations and higher education
institutions shall be facilitated to enhance training and ladderization opportunities.

SEC. 6. Inter-Agency Convergence Program. — The SPS+ Convergence Program,
chaired by the Department of Education, is hereby established, with the Philippine Sports
Commission, TESDA, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Labor and
Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local
Government, and Department of Budget and Management as members. The Program shall
undertake the following:

(a) An annual SPS+ Implementation Plan targeting high-priority regions with limited
sports-related employment shall be published;

(b) Special Education Fund allocations, infrastructure, and career support initiatives for
SPS+ shall be coordinated under a unified framework; and

(©) Local government unit performance shall be monitored using the Department of the
Interior and Local Governments Seal of Good Local Governance metrics.

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SEC. 7. Local Government Unit Responsibilities. To implement the SPS+ and access
Special Education Fund resources for this Act, local government units, through their local
school boards, shall meet the following requirements:

(a) A Sports Development Plan, aligned with their Local Development Plan and
approved by the local school board, shall be submitted;

(b) A registry of SPS+ students and graduates shall be maintained in coordination with
the Department of Education;

(©) A Local SPS+ Committee, comprising representatives from the Department of
Education, TESDA, and local sports organizations, shall be formed; and

(@) A portion of the Special Education Fund, as determined by the local school board
in accordance with Republic Act No. 5447, shall be allocated for SPS+ facilities, curriculum
support, teacher training, and scholarship programs.

SEC. 8. Anti-Corruption Safeguards. ~ Disbursements from the Special Education
Fund for SPS+ implementation shall comply with Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as
the Government Procurement Reform Act, and be subject to audit by the Commission on Audit.
Local government units and schools shall publish fund utilization reports on their official
websites to ensure transparency and accountability.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education, in coordination with the Philippine Sports
Commission, TESDA, Commission on Higher Education, Department of the Interior and Local
Government, and Department of Budget and Management, shall promulgate the implementing
tules and regulations to ensure effective execution of this Act.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this,
‘Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Department of Education.
Subsequent funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, supplemented
by Special Education Fund allocations from local government units.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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