Law Summary
Declaration of Principles
- The State commits to providing quality, accessible education to all citizens.
- Emphasizes the importance of the youth in nation-building.
- Promotes the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the youth.
- Implements a national sports program promoting physical education, intramurals, leagues, amateur sports, and international competition training.
- Encourages self-discipline, teamwork, excellence, patriotism, and love of country among athletes.
- Institutionalizes an educational system within the national sports program framework for world-class athlete training.
- Ensures admission measures for qualified students from all sectors, including indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.
Creation and Establishment of the National Academy of Sports System (NAS System)
- Establishes the NAS System to develop students’ athletic skills using world-class sports facilities in accordance with international standards.
- Mandated to implement an enhanced secondary education program with a special sports curriculum.
- Focuses on early recognition and development of highly talented, gifted, and potential student-athletes.
- Attached to the Department of Education (DepEd), coordinated closely with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Purpose of the NAS System
- Offers full scholarships to natural-born Filipino students with significant sports potential.
- Curriculum is designed to balance special sports training needs with a holistic quality education.
- Enables student-athletes to excel in sports and pursue professional careers.
Construction and Site of the NAS Main Campus
- The main campus to be established at New Clark City Sports Complex, Capas, Tarlac, within one year of the Act’s effectivity.
- Facilities to meet current international standards, including classrooms, housing, and amenities.
- Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to provide land via usufruct in perpetuity and manage construction.
- NAS System given priority and free use of sports facilities and dormitories, subject to national and international sports events.
Executive Director of the NAS System
- Executive Director serves a five-year term, elected by the Board with specified qualifications.
- Should preferably hold a Master’s degree in sports education, sports science, education, or management.
- Responsible for administration, operation, and policy implementation of the NAS System.
Board of Trustees
- Governing Board chaired by the DepEd Secretary, with the PSC Chair as Vice Chair.
- Members include the NAS Executive Director, Philippine Olympic Committee President, CHED Chairperson, and two private sector experts.
- Private sector members serve two-year renewable terms without reappointment.
Powers and Functions of the Board
- Exclusive authority over NAS System policies and administration, as well as corporate powers under the Revised Corporation Code.
- Responsibilities include:
- Formulating policies for sports high school administration and a national sports program.
- Identifying satellite branches and regional campuses.
- Approving curricula, disciplinary rules, and training-focused courses.
- Managing personnel policies, appointments, compensation, and employment conditions.
- Approving employment and contracts of administrators and faculty.
- Regulating acceptance criteria for paying students in special programs.
- Granting scholarships, fellowships, and training opportunities.
- Establishing student selection criteria, including competitive trials and exams.
- Recruiting top student-athletes nationwide.
- Developing athletic potential alongside strong academic foundations.
- Providing training aimed at producing international-caliber athletes.
- Issuing graduation certificates/diplomas.
- Appropriating and managing funds and donations.
- Enacting necessary rules and regulations.
- Performing other necessary acts for NAS System management.
Hiring of Foreign Coaches, Trainers, and Consultants
- Board may approve hiring licensed foreign specialists upon PSC certification of necessity and justification.
- Ensures transfer of knowledge and training methods to local coaches and athletes.
Meetings of the Board
- Regular meetings at least quarterly, with provisions for special meetings.
- Immediate monthly meetings upon Act’s enactment to establish initial leadership and organizational plans.
- Quorum requires majority including Chair and Vice Chair; Chair’s absence leads to substitution by a DepEd Undersecretary.
- Non-government compensated members receive reasonable per diems.
Reporting Requirements and Auditing of Accounts
- Board to submit annual progress, financial, and accountability reports to COA, DBM, and Congress.
- All NAS System accounts and expenses subject to auditing by COA.
Executive Committee
- Composed of Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, department heads, and other faculty/officers.
- Screens and selects students, scholarship recipients.
- Develops curricula and discipline rules aligned with Board policies.
- Oversees athletic training programs aimed at international competition readiness.
- Implements and executes Board-prescribed policies.
Deputy Executive Director
- Assists the Executive Director and assumes duties in their absence.
- Appointment approved by the Board with compensation fixed accordingly.
Registrar
- Acts as Board Secretary and custodian of records.
- Appointed by the Executive Director with Board approval.
Treasurer
- Custodian of funds and properties.
- Appointment and responsibilities parallel the Registrar’s, with COA auditing.
Personnel of the NAS System
- Executive Director, with Board approval, employs qualified professionals including educators, coaches, trainers, and medical experts.
- Encourages involvement of government officers as lecturers with compensation outside regular office hours.
Payment of National Taxes and Customs Duties
- NAS System’s national taxes and customs duties charged against the Tax Expenditure Fund in the General Appropriations Act.
- Exemption from withholding taxes on honoraria paid to visiting foreign lecturers under applicable treaties.
Tax Deduction and Exemption of Donations
- All donations, gifts, and bequests for the NAS System are fully tax-exempt and deductible under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Campuses
- Board to formulate policies for creating regional sports high schools.
- Policies to permit MOAs with existing locally funded sports high schools as NAS System branches or extensions.
- Coordination with local governments, DepEd, PSC, and consultation with DBM required.
Joint Congressional Oversight Committee
- Created to oversee, monitor, and evaluate implementation.
- Composed of five senators and five representatives, with inclusion of relevant committee chairpersons and minority members.
Appropriations
- DepEd Secretary responsible for including necessary funds in its budget.
- BCDA to include campus construction in procurement plan and fund through the General Appropriations Act.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DepEd and PSC, in coordination with other agencies, to issue necessary rules within 30 days of effectivity.
- Failure to promulgate rules shall not delay Act implementation.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act remains effective.
Repealing Clause
- Inconsistent laws and regulations are modified, superseded, or repealed.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or major national newspaper.