Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3236 
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, AND 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Sports play a crucial role in the holistic development of students and youth by 
improving their physical health, mental and emotional well-being, socialization skills, and self-
discipline. Furthermore, sports contribute to social cohesion and help instill a sense of 
camaraderie within communities. 
Recognizing the indispensable role of sports in the country, particularly for students 
and youth, Republic Act No. 5708 was enacted in 1969 to promote and finance an integrated 
physical education and sports development program in schools. In 2020, RA No. 11470 was 
passed, establishing the National Academy of Sports, which provides a specialized 
educational program with a strong focus on athletics. Beyond schools, recreation and sports 
clubs, associations, and organizations also serve as platforms for promoting sports in 
communities and identifying and nurturing promising athletes. 
In an interview, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, shared how she 
used makeshift barbells made from ipil-ipil wood fitted with mag wheels or poured concrete in 
her early weightlifting years. She also sold vegetables and fish and washed jeepneys to earn 
extra money to travel to a gym 15 kilometers from her home. This story, which reflects a reality 
still faced by many Filipino athletes today, demonstrates not only the strong potential of our 
athletes but also the pressing need for greater government support. If we can provide the 
necessary financial assistance and improve access to training facilities and sports 
infrastructure, we can develop more world-class athletes capable of excelling in international 
competitions, including the Olympics.1 
Section 19 (1), Article XIV of the 1987 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.” In fulfillment 
of this constitutional mandate and recognition of the significant role of local sports programs 
and associations in the country, this bill seeks to: 
●
Mandate the Philippine Sports Commission to manage and administer three
funds that will be used to assist young athletes, support local sports clubs, and
improve sports facilities in the country, among others.
●
Lay down the eligibility criteria and conditions for young athletes who wish to avail
themselves of a sports voucher.
1 Araullo, A. (2021).  Anatomy of Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal. https://pcij.org/2021/10/31/anatomy-of-philippines-first-
olympic-gold-medal/ 
August 6, 2025
2:20 pm


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Identify the eligibility criteria for sports voucher providers.
This bill was passed on third reading during the 19th Congress and transmitted to the 
Senate.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE 
HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3236
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, AND 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING LOCAL SPORTS PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP YOUNG 
ATHLETES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – Article XIV, Section 19 (1) 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. 
Pursuant to the aforementioned policy, the State shall appropriate funds for the 
upgrade of sports facilities and extend financial assistance in the form of sports vouchers to 
mitigate the cost of participation in a sports club, recreation club, sports association, or sports 
organization of their choice: Provided, That the sports club, recreation club, sports association, 
or sports organization is duly accredited or recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission 
(PSC). 
SECTION 2. Program Funds. – To further promote sports and its benefits among the youth, 
the PSC shall allocate adequate resources to financially support the affiliation of young 
athletes, including those with disabilities, who cannot afford to join any local sports club, 
recreation club, sports association, or organization by reason of financial constraints. For this 
purpose, the PSC shall manage and administer three (3) separate funds, as follows:   
(a) Get Started Fund. – The fund shall be used to assist young athletes, including those
with disabilities, with a discount voucher of up to three thousand pesos (P3,000.00)
annually to help pay for their membership, registration, participation, training, or
general fees, including the purchase of sports equipment and uniforms. The vouchers
can be redeemed at any sports club, recreation club, sports association or organization
that is duly accredited or recognized by the PSC and have facilities and activities which
can provide the proper, well-equipped, safe, healthy, comfortable, and accessible
venue, and opportunities for training and competition: Provided, That the voucher
providers are registered with the program;
(b) Get Going Fund. – The fund shall be used to support local sports clubs, recreation
clubs, sports associations, and sports organizations with funding of up to fifty thousand
pesos (P50,000.00) annually for the sustainability of existing projects and programs
that promote grassroots sports development; and


(c) Get Playing Fund. – The fund shall provide up to five hundred thousand pesos 
(P500,000.00) annually in order to assist local sports clubs, recreation clubs, sports 
associations, and sports organizations in improving sports facilities and encourage 
more young athletes to become actively involved in the sports activity of their choice.  
 
SECTION 3. Eligibility Criteria. – To avail of the sports voucher, the young athlete must be:  
 
(a) Under the age of eighteen (18) and is actively engaged in any sports;  
 
(b) A member of any local sports club, recreation club, sports association, or organization 
duly accredited or recognized by the PSC; and  
 
(c) A resident in the locality where the sports club, recreation club, sports association, or 
organization is located. 
 
SECTION 4. Conditions for the Use of the Voucher. – The use of the sports voucher shall 
be governed by the following terms and conditions:  
 
(a) It shall not be redeemable for cash;   
 
(b) It is non-transferrable to any person except to another PSC-accredited or recognized 
local sports club, recreation club, sports association, or organization: Provided, That 
the transfer can be done only once a year:  Provided, further, That the transfer must 
be applied prior to the actual use and enjoyment of the sports facilities;  
 
(c) It cannot be reused once redeemed by any PSC-accredited or recognized local sports 
club, recreation club, sports association, or organization; and   
 
(d) Only one (1) voucher shall be payable to an eligible athlete per calendar year.   
 
SECTION 5. Sports Vouchers Providers. – To be eligible under the program, the sports 
club, recreation club, sports association, or organization must be affiliated with a National 
Sports Association, duly recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the PSC.   
 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. – The initial amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the PSC.  Thereafter, such 
amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.   
 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The PSC shall, in consultation with 
various national sports associations, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the 
provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.  
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.  
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, 
modified, or repealed accordingly.  
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,