Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 651)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 651 is to strengthen the Grassroots Program of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to develop potential gold medalists for the Olympics and to encourage children to play chess to improve their reading and math skills.
The strengthening of the PSC's Grassroots Program is mandated under Section 13, Article 11; Section 17, Article 11; and Section 19(1), Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which recognize the role of youth, prioritize sports and education, and promote physical education and amateur sports programs.
The Grassroots Program consists of three main phases: First Phase - Early recruitment and training; Second Phase - Development and training of talents in the National Training Pool; and Third Phase - Elite training and preparation for international competitions aiming for Olympic gold medals or Grandmaster titles.
Each Task Force is composed of five members appointed by the President, including the PSC Chairman (Co-Chairman), Chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee (Co-Chairman), the relevant sports federation's Program Director, a member from the Philippine University Games, and a member from the business community.
The Operating Officer, appointed from the Task Force members, directs and supervises the day-to-day operations of the program and controls administrative management.
The program is funded with an operation fund of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000) from the mandatory contribution of the Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation to the PSC and annual PSC budget appropriations. The PSC is also authorized to conduct fundraising activities.
The focus sports specifically mentioned include boxing and chess, along with other sports with potential to win Olympic gold medals.
The order cites studies showing that children who play chess perform better and achieve higher scores on standardized tests in reading and math, promoting intellectual development alongside physical skills.
Duties include planning and implementing training programs for targeted sports, discovering young talent, developing athletes, supporting potential gold medalists, promulgating rules, conducting awareness campaigns, and other acts necessary to strengthen the program.
All executive issuances, orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with Executive Order No. 651 are repealed or modified accordingly.