Marcos, Angara tag sports investment as key to safe school environments

CAPAS, TARLAC, Philippines — President Marcos and Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday emphasized that investing in sports development is a crucial strategy for fostering learner well-being, instill discipline, and building safer, more supportive school communities nationwide.

President Marcos and Secretary Angara highlighted this holistic approach during a comprehensive inspection of the state-of-the-art National Academy of Sports (NAS) facilities at New Clark City.

The visit underscored the administration’s commitment to supporting young Filipino student-athletes through world-class training venues and cutting-edge academic infrastructure that prioritizes positive youth development alongside elite athletic excellence.

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READ: Marcos pushes world-class sports education for future Filipino champions

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“We are immensely proud to see how this institution has grown into a premier hub that bridges elite athletic training and quality academic education for our youth. Under the leadership of President Bongbong Marcos, we will continue to enhance these spaces to produce champions who are not only globally competitive but are also resilient individuals,” Angara said.

“Higit sa pag-uwi ng mga medalya, ang pamumuhunan sa sports ay pamumuhunan din sa well-being, disiplina, at positibong paggabay sa ating mga kabataan. Dito nahuhubog ang kanilang katatagan at pagkakaisa, na malaki ang maitutulong sa ating layunin na patuloy na patatagin ang ligtas at mapagkalingang mga paaralan,“ the Secretary added.

NAS Executive Director Assoc. Prof. Francis Carlos Diaz expressed gratitude for the presidential visit, highlighting its immense motivational value for the country’s student-athletes.

“It is a big honor and privilege for our student-athletes to have a chance to meet His Excellency, President Ferdinand Marcos. Batid namin kung gaano kalaki ang pagpapahalaga at suporta na binibigay ni Pangulong Marcos para sa ating mga pambansang atleta at mga kabataang nasa larangan ng sports,” Diaz said.

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“Magiging malaking inspirasyon ang kanyang pagbisita para patuloy pa na husayan ng aming mga estudyante sa NAS ang kasanayan sa kani-kanilang mga sport discipline at sa kanilang responsibilidad bilang mga mag aaral,” Diaz added.

READ: DepEd orders all public elementary, secondary schools to form sports clubs

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During the tour, the President led the inspection of the fully operational Phase 1 buildings, which house the Academic and Administration Building and a highly equipped Multi-Sports Gymnasium. They also inspected Phase 2 developments, currently at 98 percent completion, featuring a modern Gymnastics Hall, a Sports Performance Building, and comprehensive staff and student residences.

For School Year 2026–2027, the academy is supporting 246 student-athletes specializing in seven foundational sports: aquatics, athletics, badminton, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, and taekwondo.

Secretary Angara, one of the principal authors of Republic Act 11470, or the National Academy of Sports Act of 2020, noted the President’s satisfaction with the facilities, emphasizing the administration’s goal of demonstrating the government’s commitment to providing world-class infrastructure for student-athletes.

“The President noted that our athletes now have a dedicated space to train, unlike before when they had to share public facilities. It is important to show the public that we have the infrastructure to help our student-athletes hone their skills,“ Angara said.

The NAS program offers a holistic support system, providing learners with 24/7 care, dormitory housing, full daily meals and snacks, strength and conditioning support, and a monthly personal allowance of P3,000.

To maintain this intensive environment, the NAS workforce includes 174 dedicated personnel, including full-time faculty, program heads, and specialized coaches. This investment has already yielded results, with NAS athletes securing 1,029 medals in national and international competitions in 2025.

Most recently, the academy hauled 26 medals—including 10 gold, 5 silver, and 11 bronze—during the 2026 Palarong Pambansa, demonstrating the rapid growth and elite standard of its sports program.

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The Department of Education and NAS remain steadfast in their shared mission of developing world-class student-athletes while nurturing future leaders of the nation. /cb