QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11470)
The Act is known as “The National Academy of Sports.”
It recognizes the State’s duty to protect and promote the right to quality education, and to promote the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of youth through a national sports program integrated with education, emphasizing accessibility and inclusion of qualified students from all sectors (including IPs, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups).
RA 11470 creates the NAS System to develop students’ athletic skills and talents in facilities comparable to international standards, mandated to implement a quality secondary education program with a sports curriculum. It is attached to the Department of Education (DepEd) in close coordination with the Philippine Sport Commission (PSC).
It offers secondary education on a full scholarship basis to natural-born Filipino citizens with considerable potential in sports.
The main campus is to be established at the existing New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac. The BCDA provides the land through usufruct in perpetuity and is in charge of construction of classrooms, dormitories, and sports facilities, subject to determinations by the Board.
The NAS System shall have utmost priority in the use of existing sports facilities and infrastructure, free of charge while utilized for NAS purposes, without prejudice to national and international sports events hosted there and coordinated with NAS management.
The Executive Director serves for five (5) years and is elected by the Board. Implementing rules set the guidelines and qualifications; it is preferably with a Master’s degree in relevant fields (sports education/science/education/management) and substantial experience managing an educational institution.
The DepEd Secretary (Chair), PSC Chair (Vice Chair), the Executive Director, the President of the Philippine Olympic Committee, the CHED Chair, and two (2) private sector representatives of known expertise in sports/education (elected by Board members).
They are appointed for two (2) years, renewable for another two (2) years, without reappointment.
Examples include: (1) formulating policies, guidelines, and criteria for sports high schools; (2) approving curricula, course of study, and rules of discipline; (3) formulating personnel policies (appointment, promotion, removal, incentives, etc.); (4) approving scholarships/stipends and other allowances; (5) setting admission criteria including trials and examinations; (6) establishing training programs toward international competition; (7) receiving and administering donations and legacies in trust; and (8) issuing certificates/diplomas for graduates.
The Board may approve their hiring, but the PSC must certify the necessity, including a justification that their competence and skills are not locally available or are incomparable with local counterparts.
The Board must provide guidelines and mechanisms to ensure new knowledge and training methods introduced by foreign coaches/trainers/consultants are passed on to student-athletes and local coaches/trainers.
The Board meets at least once every quarter of the school calendar; upon effectivity, it shall convene monthly for early actions (e.g., selecting/appointing the Executive Director and organizing plans). A special meeting may be called by the Chair with written notice at least three (3) days before. Quorum requires a majority of members holding office, and the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson must be among those present.
The Board must submit detailed progress, condition, needs, and financial reports to COA, DBM, and Congress on or before February 14 each year. All accounts and expenses must be audited by COA or its duly authorized representative.
It screens and selects students for admission and scholarship recipients, develops curricula/course of study and rules of discipline, is responsible for developing athletes’ potential through training programs for international competition, and implements Board policies and related functions.
Payment of national taxes (including customs duties) is charged against the Tax Expenditure Fund (TEF) under the annual General Appropriations Act. It is exempt from withholding taxes on honoraria/fees paid by NAS to visiting foreign lecturers/professors, subject to Philippine tax treaties.
All grants, legacies, bequests, gifts, and donations for the benefit/support/maintenance of the NAS System or for aid to its students are tax-exempt and fully deductible from the gross income of the donors under the NIRC of 1997, as amended.
(1) The DepEd Secretary must include necessary funds in DepEd’s budget for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act; BCDA must include procurement for campus construction in its plan, with funding also in the General Appropriations Act. (2) DepEd and PSC must promulgate implementing rules within 30 days from effectivity (failure does not prevent implementation). (3) The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a major daily newspaper of national circulation.