TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
Senate
of fij..' 5*' 'rrptaty
25 JUL 31 P2:49
SENATE 
s. No. 773
received 8Y
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWENTY (20)-YEAR SPORTS 
EXCELLENCE ROADMAP TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS SPORTS 
PROGRAMS, AND DEVELOP WORLD-CLASS ELITE ATHLETES, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Philippine sports has continued to achieve historic milestones. In the 2020 
Tokyo Olympics, the Philippines won its first Olympic gold,1 along with two silvers and 
a bronze. This momentum was sustained in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the 
country secured its best-ever medal haul, including two historic gold medals for Carlos 
Yulo in gymnastics, and a bronze medal each for boxers, Nesthy Petecio and Aira 
Villegas.2
Beyond the Olympics, Filipino athletes have kept advancing to new heights on 
the international stage. In 2023, the Philippine Women's National Football Team, the 
Fiiipinas, made history by being the first Philippine football team, men's or women's, 
to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, where they scored the country's first-ever World Cup 
goal.3 Aids Pilipinas, secured a bronze medal in the 2024 Asian Volleyball
1 Lozada, B. (2021, August 7). PH wraps up most successful Olympics campaign with 4 medals. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer, https://sports.inquirer.net/432836/ph-wraps-up-most-successful-olympics- 
campaign-with-4-medals
2 Olympic Games Paris 2024: All Philippines’ medal winners - full list. (2024, August 8). Olympics.
https://www.olympics.com/en/news/olympic-games-paris-2024-all-philippines-medal-\"inners-full-list
3 Terrado, R. (2022, January 30). Dramatic shootout win over Taiwan seals historic PH trip to World 
Cup. Spin Philippines, https://www.spin.ph/football/philippines-beats-taiwan-in-shootout-to-seal-world- 
cup-spot-a795-20220130


Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup, the country's best finish in 63 years.4 In 
basketball, GUas Pilipinas achieved a historic win against Latvia in the 2024 FIBA 
Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the first time they defeated a European opponent 
since 1960. Similarly, Alex Eala made history as the first Filipino to break into the Top 
100 of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the first Filipino to compete in the 
Open era of the Wimbledon Championships' singles main draw.5 Despite these 
achievements, greater support and protection are needed for our national athletes in 
return for the honor they bring to our country.
As such, there is a need to establish a roadmap that would continuously support 
Filipino athletes starting at the grassroots level, recognizing that world-class elite 
performers are not developed overnight. Olympian gold medalist, Hidlyn Diaz, began 
weightlifting at age 11.6 She made history as the first Filipina weightlifter at the 2008 
Beijing Olympics.7 She secured the Philippines' first Olympic weightlifting medal with 
a silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics.8 Four years later, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Diaz 
ended the country's 97-year gold medal drought, becoming the first Filipino Olympic 
gold medalist.9
This proposed measure, therefore, seeks to establish a national policy through 
a twenty-(20) year Roadmap for Sports Excellence that would improve our grassroots 
programs and empower Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams.
4 Bautistsa, O. (2024, June 1). Key takeaways from Alas Pilipinas’ historic campaign in 2024 AVC 
Challenge Cup. One Sports, https://www.onesports.ph/alas/article/21702/key-takeaways-from-alas- 
pilipinas-historic-campaign-in-2024-avc-challenge-cup
5 Dioquino, D. (2025, July 3). “Living my dream’: Alex Eala revels in historic Wimbledon stint. Rappler. 
https://www.rappler.com/sports/alex-eala-revels-historic-wimbledon-stint-2025/
6 How did Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz get into weightlifting?. (2021, July 27). GMA Network. 
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/othersports/796967/how-did-olympic-gold-medalist-hidilyn- 
diaz-get-into-
weightlifting/story/#:-:text=According%20to%20her%20cousin%2C%20Allen,competition%20at%201 
1 %20years%20old.
7 Department of Education. (2016, December 6). Hidilyn Diaz: A Victor’s Crown. Department of 
Education Philippines, https://www.deped.gov.ph/2016/12/06/hidilyn-diaz-a-victors-crown/
8 Olympic Channel (2019, November 10). Hidilyn Diaz on eating her way to Olympic weightlifting 
glory. Olympics, https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/exclusive-interview-weightlifting-hidilyn-diaz- 
philippines-diet-tokyo
9 Hamilton, T. (2021, July 26). Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins gold, ends Philippines’ 97-year drought. 
ESPN, https://www.espn.ph/olympics/story/_/id/31888893/weightlifter-hidilyn-diaz-wins-gold-ends- 
philippines-century-drought


This bill will mandate the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in close 
coordination with the National Sports Associations (NSAs), the Philippine Olympic 
Committee (POC), and the National Academy for Sports (NAS), to develop a blueprint 
for sports development. The Roadmap for Sports Excellence shall likewise identify the 
annual budgetary requirements over a twenty-(20) year period in order to fully 
harness the potentials of Filipino athletes. Each NSA must prepare their respective 
roadmaps and shall only receive financial assistance if their roadmap has been 
reviewed and approved by the PSC. Continuous funding for NSAs will depend on their 
proper and efficient implementation of their roadmaps.
This proposed legislation was filed by the undersigned in the 19th Congress. It 
also recognizes the crucial and collaborative roles of the PSC, POC, NAS, NSAs, 
educational institutions, local government units, and other stakeholders, in providing 
opportunities and avenues for Filipino athletes to develop and excel in their respective 
sports.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
>IA^ sT CAVff^NO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
Senate
Wnvof Iljr rSt crfiar^
25 JUL 3t P2-49
SENATE
s. No. 773
RECEIVED eV'
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWENTY (20)-YEAR SPORTS 
EXCELLENCE ROADMAP TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS SPORTS 
PROGRAMS, AND DEVELOP WORLD-CLASS ELITE ATHLETES, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Roadmap for Sports 
Excellence Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes its vital role in promoting 
sports excellence by ensuring population-based participation in physical activities, and 
the development of grassroots sports programs, league competitions, and amateur 
sports, including training for national and international competitions. Towards this 
end, a roadmap shall be established to promote the pursuit of sports excellence, which 
shall be based on targeted and achievable goals for sports development in the country. 
The roadmap shall also identify and rank the specific sports and athletes that are ready 
and primed to join international competitions based on measurable indicators, taking 
into consideration the talent and capability of Filipino athletes. The State shall exhaust 
and maximize available resources for the development of potential world-class elite 
athletes, by providing them, among others, budgetary support and opportunities to 
participate in various sports competitions.
Sec. 3. Roadmap for Sports Excellence of the Philippine Sports Commission. - 
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in close coordination with the Philippine 
Olympic Committee (POC) and the National Academy for Sports (NAS), shall establish


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
and implement a twenty (20)-year sports development roadmap, hereinafter referred 
to as the Roadmap for Sports Excellence, which shall be based on the roadmap of 
each National Sports Association (NSA), and updated at least every five (5) years. In 
the Roadmap for Sports Excellence, the PSC shall identify the specific sports in the 
Philippines that can excel on an international level. It shall provide for a national and 
local policy on developing the potential, honing the skills and talents, and supporting 
Filipino athletes to become, among others, world-class qualifiers and medalists in the 
Olympics and other international sports competitions. The PSC shall also include and 
delineate the tasks of the national, regional, and local sports authorities to ensure the 
Roadmap for Sports Excellence's full implementation. It shall also include the 
budgetary requirements necessary for the full implementation of this Act: Provided, 
That the PSC shall closely work and coordinate with all stakeholders, and issue the 
necessary rules and regulations that would properly implement the Roadmap for 
Sports Excellence.
Sec. 4. Roadmap of Each National Sports Associations. - All NSAs shall craft 
their respective roadmaps for the national development of their own sports; it shall 
incorporate, among others, programs and activities for grassroots promotion, 
identifying potential athletes, assistance for trainings and competitions, including the 
necessary budgetary requirements to support their athletes' full development in both 
the national and international arena; the roadmap shall also include special programs 
and funding for those with the potential to become world-class elite athletes in the 
Olympics and other international sports competitions. All NSAs shall set goals on the 
expansion of their grassroots programs and the exposure and opportunities for their 
respective athletes and coaches in national and international sports competitions: 
Provided, That the NSAs shall only receive financial assistance if their roadmap has 
been reviewed by the PSC, certifying its propriety and compliance with Section 7 of 
this Act: Provided, further. That the continuous funding of the NSAs shall be 
determined by the PSC based on the proper, reasonable, and efficient implementation 
of each NSA's roadmap.
30 
Sec. 5. Development of Grassroots Program. - In addition to its functions under
31 
Republic Act No. 11470 or the "The National Academy of Sports", the NAS, together


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
With the Department of Education (DepEd) and the PSC, shall establish a systematic 
grassroots program that would properly identify and select Filipino athletes based on 
a qualifying admission criteria, and develop them to become world-class elite athletes: 
Provided, That all public educational institutions and Local Government Units (LGUs) 
shall actively participate and support the programs, activities, and projects of the PSC 
and the NAS, while private educational institutions are encouraged to do the same: 
Provided Further, That nothing in this Section shall limit or prevent all NSAs from 
pursuing other programs and activities for the development of their respective sports.
Sec. 6. Institutionaiization of Indicators of Oiympic-Bound Sports through Local 
and National Competitions. -The PSC and the NAS shall institutionalize a point system, 
through well-organized local and national sports competitions, that will be used as 
indicators in identifying and ranking the Focus Sports. In identifying the Focus Sports, 
the indicators used shall be measurable and achievable by Filipino athletes, taking into 
consideration their talents and capabilities, which shall also serve as the basis in 
selecting the pool of national athletes.
For purposes of this Act, Focus Sports refer to specific sports and athletes ready 
and primed to participate and excel in international competitions, including the 
Olympics.
19 
Sec. 7. Roadmap Components. —The Roadmap shall contain, among others,
20 
policy on the following:
a) Sports Development and Participation for AH. - Promote and encourage 
population-based participation in sports and other physical activities, 
which shall be the basis for the development of more skilled athletes. 
Coordinate with the LGUs for programs involving, among others, mass 
participation in physical fitness activities.
b) Talent Identification. - Promote early recognition and development of 
talented and exceptionally gifted Filipino athletes who have 
demonstrated the potential of excelling in the field of sports.
c) Education & Sports. - The PSC and POC, in coordination with various 
educational institutions, including the NAS, the University of the 
Philippines (UP), and other concerned government agencies, and in


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
consultation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), shall ensure 
that highly talented and exceptionally gifted students are given the 
opportunity to pursue and excel in sports and have access to good 
quality education.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11470, or "The National Academy of 
Sports", NAS shall identify satellite branches and regional campuses of 
the NAS System to enhance grassroots sports development, and for the 
identification and training of elite Filipino athletes.
The University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics (UP-CHK) 
shall assist and provide expertise to the PSC and the NSAs in crafting 
the Roadmap for Sports Excellence, pursuant to the roadmap 
components provided under this Act. The UP-CHK, through partnership 
with the PSC, shall:
i) 
Review existing evidence to identify various factors related to elite 
sporting success;
ii) 
Examine which of these factors are applicable to the Philippine 
setting and culture; and
iii) 
Recommend strategies to improve planning and implementation 
of sports programs based on the said factors.
d) Sports Scholarships and Grants. - Provide scholarships under relevant 
laws to all qualified athletes, and offer grants for sports science research 
to build the knowledge generation capacity of Filipino sports science 
practitioners and researchers.
e) Health and Well-being. - Ensure that the health of Filipino athletes, 
including their safety, is protected at all times, which includes their 
physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Secure elite Filipino athletes' 
access to proper nutrition, health care professionals, including free or 
subsidized vitamins and medical expense coverage, taking into 
consideration the budget needed for emergency situations, such as 
athietes' sports-related medical examination and procedures, as well as


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Strive to provide the same benefits for athletes in grassroots sports, 
including student-athletes, indirect coordination with their educational 
institutions and other concerned agencies.
f) Infrastructure and Training Faciiities. - Ensure that all Filipino athletes 
are given the opportunity to properly train in their respective sports, by 
providing them with adequate support and funding to train in safe and 
world-class facilities, with well-maintained equipment, including other 
items needed for training.
g) Amateur to Nationai Athiete Support — Identify the gaps and address 
the issues that should be resolved in order to provide a policy on the 
early recognition and development of potential elite athletes by providing 
adequate support for grassroots athletes and training them to become 
potential qualifiers and medalists in the Olympics and other international 
events. Proactively coordinate and collaborate with other concerned 
agencies.
h) LocaiandInternationai Competitions. — Plan the potential sports career 
track for all Filipino athletes, from student to amateur to national level, 
including the promotion of all local and international sports competitions.
i) 
Weifare of Fiiipino Athietes. - Incorporate and mandate all interested 
parties to recognize and uphold the rights and welfare of all Filipino 
athletes, at all times, especially during policy- and decision-making.
j) SpeciaiBenefits/Incentives/Priviieges. - Ensure that all qualified athletes 
and coaches shall automatically be given the corresponding benefits and 
incentives, as provided by Republic Act No. 10699, or the "Nationai 
Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act"
k) Funding. -Strengthen the framework for the budgetary requirements of 
all Filipino athletes, depending on their respective needs during their 
preparation, training, and competitions.
l) Public-Private Partnership. - Encourage active private sector 
participation through, among others, public-private partnerships that 
would enable the full implementation of the twenty (20)-year Roadmap 
for Sports Excellence, including the roadmap of each NSAs.


1 
In crafting the Roadmap, the PSC, in coordination with the POC and the NSAs,
2 
shall identify all the gaps and possible issues that could prevent Filipino athletes from
3 
harnessing their full potential in their respective sports and include the solutions,
4 
targets, and objectives that would fully support the athletes in pursuit of their
5 
respective goals and targets, which include becoming potential qualifiers and medalists
6 
in the Olympics and other international competitions.
7 
Sec. 8. Roadmap for Sports Excellence National Coordinating Council. - In order
8 
to promote and identify a common policy direction that will navigate a holistic
9 
perspective and identify key result areas in determining a sustained sports
10 
development in the Philippines, the Roadmap for Sports Excellence National
11 
Coordinating Council is hereby established which shall be composed of the following:
12 
a) The Commissioner, Philippine Sports Commission, as Chairperson of the
13 
Council;
14 
b) Heads, National Sports Associations, as members;
15 
c) The Executive Director, National Academy of Sports, as member;
16 
d) The Secretary, Department of Education, as member;
17 
e) The Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government, as
18 
member;
19 
f) The President, Philippine Olympic Committee, as member;
20 
g) One (1) student-athlete representative;
21 
h) One (1) national athlete representative; and
22 
i) Two (2) private sector representatives who 
are known supporters of
23 
sports development in the country.
24 
The heads of government agencies may be represented by an official whose
25 
rank shall not be lower than an Assistant Secretary or its equivalent.
26 
Sec. 9. Functions of the Roadmap for Sports Excellence National Coordinating
27 
Council. -The Roadmap for Sports Excellence National Coordinating Council shall have
28 
the following powers and functions:


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
a) Oversee and monitor the progressive realization of the Roadmap for 
Sports Excellence, as well as the roadmap of each NSAs;
b) Identify the key result areas on measuring a sustained sports 
development in the Philippines;
c) Constantly review and assess the roadmap components in Section 9 of 
this Act based on national and international sports development policies 
and standards;
d) Resolve issues relative to the implementation of this Act, without 
prejudice to the member-agencies resolving such concerns pursuant to 
their respective mandates;
e) Request for support and technical assistance from any department, 
agency, or office under the Executive Branch for the effective 
implementation of this Act;
f) Promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this 
Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity; and
g) Perform such other functions pursuant to the fulfillment of the objectives 
of this Act.
18
19
20 
21 
22
Sec. 10. Appropriations. -The amount needed for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be taken from the current budget of the PSC. Thereafter, the amount 
needed for the full implementation of this Act, including the Roadmap for Sports 
Excellence shall automatically be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of 
the PSC.
23
24
25
26
27
28
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect.
Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general 
circulation.
Approved,