QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10699)
RA 10699 is titled the "National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act." Its policy is to promote excellence in sports by looking after the welfare of national athletes and coaches competing for the country, and by providing benefits and incentives to national athletes and other athletes who win in international competitions.
"National athletes" are Filipino citizens who are members of the national training pool, recognized and accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and PSC (including athletes with disabilities accredited by the NPC PHIL and PSC), and who have represented the country in international sports competitions. "National coaches" are coaches of national athletes who are Filipino citizens, members of the national coaches training pool, and recognized/accredited by PSC and POC (or by PSC and NPC PHIL for coaches of athletes with disabilities), and who served as official coaches to national athletes in international competitions.
It covers (1) regular major competitions (e.g., Olympics, Asian Games, SEA Games, Youth Olympics, Paralympic Games, etc.), (2) world-level championships held at least every two (2) years with at least forty-five (45) countries participating per sport, (3) Asian-level competitions held at least every two (2) years with at least twenty-five (25) countries per sport, and (4) qualifying competitions for world-level games with at least ten (10) countries participating. Competitions granting prize money are excluded.
They must be "currently registered" as national athlete and coach under RA 10699.
They are entitled to: (a) 20% discount on transportation services, hotels/lodging, restaurants, recreation centers, and purchase of medicine and sports equipment; (b) at least 20% discount on admission fees of cultural/leisure/amusement venues; (c) free medical and dental consultations in government hospitals and similar establishments; (d) NHIP/PHILHEALTH coverage through PSC-sponsored program; (e) comprehensive social security program; (f) priority in existing government livelihood programs; (g) priority in national housing programs/loans; and (h) use of living quarters/training centers maintained by PSC for exclusive use while preparing/training for international competitions.
Privately-owned establishments enjoying the discounts may claim tax deductions equivalent to the discounts extended to national athletes and coaches, subject to rules by the Secretary of Finance recommended by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Importantly, failure of BIR to promulgate rules will not prevent implementation of the benefits.
They are entitled to full tuition fees from state colleges/universities for a college or university degree, plus priority in the availment of state college/university scholarship grants.
Public benefits are mandatory: state colleges/universities provide full tuition fees and priority. Private colleges and universities are "encouraged" to adopt a similar program, but the law does not impose the same obligation on private schools.
A lump sum equivalent to 25% of the athlete/coach's total cash incentives computed from the start of active sports career (as national training pool member or national coaches training pool member) up to the last day of retirement as certified by PSC. The lump sum is released within 60 days from filing retirement papers.
Upon death of a national athlete or coach, primary beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum of P30,000. Primary beneficiaries: legitimate spouse, legitimate or illegitimate children. If none, secondary beneficiaries: parents; and in their absence, brothers or sisters.
They receive cash incentives for gold, silver, and bronze medals depending on the competition category (e.g., Olympics/Paralympics, Youth Olympics, Asian Games, World-level championships, SEA Games, ASEAN Para Games, etc.). Team events are also covered: if team has <5 participants, team receives the same amount as individual medal winners to be divided among members present; if >=5 participants, each member receives 25% of the individual medal-winning cash incentive.
Each team member receives 25% of the cash incentives amount provided for individual medal winners.
Coaches of national athletes are entitled to cash incentives if they personally trained and rendered service to the athletes/teams who win at least six (6) months prior to the international competition. Certification must be in writing, attested by the athlete or team captain for team events, duly attested by the respective NSAs.
No. Section 10 states they shall not avail of the benefits and privileges under Section 4 in combination with similar benefits/privileges under other existing laws.
For violating Section 4(a) and (b): first offense—fine of not less than P50,000 nor more than P100,000 or imprisonment of not less than 6 months nor more than 2 years, or both; subsequent offenses—fine of P100,000 to P200,000 or imprisonment of 2 to 6 years, or both. For abuse by an athlete/coach: imprisonment of not less than 6 months or fine of P5,000 to P50,000, or both.
Funding for cash incentives and retirement benefits comes from the net cash income of PAGCOR, remitted as a special account to the PSC's National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), in addition to PSC’s regular income share under RA 6847. Any additional funding requirement is sourced from 50% of the national government share in PAGCOR gaming revenue under PD 1869, as amended.