House approves bill on sports vouchers, funding support for sports clubs

FILE–Athletes from Region 12 during the 2019 Palarong Pambansa parade. Photo from DepEd

The House of Representatives has approved a significant measure to empower budding Filipino athletes through a sports voucher system.

This initiative aims to provide essential resources for training and acquiring sports equipment.

With a majority of 275 votes, the House passed House Bill (HB) No. 8495, titled “Strengthening Local Sports Programs for Young Athletes.” The legislation not only offers financial support to accredited sports clubs and organizations but also underscores a commitment to nurturing young talent on the global sports stage.

“Our victories and triumphs in the last Olympics and the recent South East Asian Games only prove that, with more support for our sports programs, Filipino athletes can certainly dominate the world stage of sports. This is what the bill is trying to achieve by supporting athletes while they are young,” Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said.

Some of the principal authors of the bill are Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Jude Acidre, Bai Dimple Mastura, Ramon Jolo Revilla III, Alfred Delos Santos, Lord Allan Velasco, Ernesto Dionisio Jr., Gus Tambunting, Jose Teves, Mujiv Hataman, Rudys Caesar Fariñas I, and Manuel Dalipe.

The measure categorizes program funds into three segments: the “Get Started Fund,” the “Get Going Fund,” and the “Get Playing Fund,” all overseen by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

The “Get Started Fund” provides young athletes, including those with disabilities, an annual discount voucher worth P3,000. This aids in covering membership, registration, training, and equipment costs. Vouchers are redeemable at accredited sports clubs, associations, or organizations recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission.

To qualify for a sports voucher, athletes must be under 18, actively engaged in sports, a member of a local sports entity, and a resident within its jurisdiction.

The “Get Going Fund” and the “Get Playing Fund” allocate annual financial support of P50,000 and P500,000 to accredited sports clubs or organizations. The former sustains grassroots sports programs, while the latter improves sports facilities to encourage young athletes’ participation.

PSC will establish the implementing rules, and funding will be integrated into its budget through the General Appropriations Act.

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