The bicameral conference committee on Wednesday approved the bill seeking to establish the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC).
In the consolidated versions of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the PSTC will include training facilities for Olympic sports and other sports activities deemed significant and necessary by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The P3.5 billion funding will be appropriated and included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Other amounts necessary to carry out its provisions will be included in the PSC budget.
Senator Joel Villanueva, vice chair of the Senate committee on sports, praised the bicameral approval of the bill.
“We thank the Senate sports committee chair Senator Manny Pacquiao, the principal author of this measure, Senator Sonny Angara, and all the authors in both Houses for supporting this measure,” Villanueva said in a statement.
Villanueva, a former national athlete who competed in the first Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) tournament, said the bill is “very close” to his heart.
“We are truly elated that this measure is closer to becoming a law which will optimize the development of our Filipino athletes,” Villanueva said.
“It is about time that we build a home for our future champions who bring nothing but pride and honor to this country,” he added. /ee