Sports Investment Key to Safe Schools, Marcos and Angara Stress
President Ferdinand Marcos and Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that investing in sports is crucial for fostering youth well-being, instilling discipline, and building safer school communities nationwide. The remarks were made during an inspection of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) facilities in New Clark City.
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. “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. “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. 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. 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
多角的分析
スポーツへの投資は、直接的な経済効果だけでなく、長期的な人的資本形成に寄与する。NASのような施設への投資は、アスリートの育成を通じて国際的なイメージ向上や、将来的なスポーツ関連産業（用具、イベント、コーチングなど）の発展を促進する可能性がある。また、若者の健全育成は、将来的な社会保障費の削減や生産性向上にも繋がるため、マクロ経済的な観点からも意義深い。しかし、その効果が顕在化するには時間を要する。
スポーツインフラへの政府投資は、直接的な投資機会を創出するものではないが、フィリピンの人的資本への信頼を高めるシグナルとなり得る。特に、教育とスポーツを両立させるモデルは、長期的な視点を持つ投資家にとって、国の持続可能な成長ポテンシャルを示す要素となる。BPO産業に続く新たな成長分野としてのスポーツ関連産業への間接的な投資を検討する余地はあるかもしれない。
スポーツへの投資は、若者の健全育成、薬物乱用や犯罪からの保護、そして学校におけるいじめや暴力の防止に貢献する。NASのような施設は、恵まれない環境にある才能ある若者にとって、社会的流動性の機会を提供する。これにより、地域社会における若者のエンゲージメントを高め、より安全で協調的な社会の実現に繋がる可能性がある。特に、地方の才能ある若者が首都圏の施設を利用できる体制は、地域格差の是正にも寄与しうる。
若者やその保護者にとっては、スポーツを通じて才能を伸ばし、学業との両立を図れる機会の増加は歓迎すべきことだ。NASの学生アスリートが享受する充実したサポート体制は、他の学生との格差を生む可能性もあるが、全体としては、スポーツが教育の一部として重要視される流れは、子供たちの多様な成長を促すものとして期待される。一方で、このようなエリート育成プログラムへの投資が、より広範な一般学生へのスポーツ機会提供にどう影響するかも注視されるべき点だ。
背景・歴史的文脈
フィリピンでは、スポーツは国民的な情熱であり、国際大会での活躍は国威発揚に繋がる。しかし、これまでスポーツインフラや育成システムは十分ではなく、才能ある若者が機会を得にくい状況があった。2020年に制定された国家スポーツアカデミー法（Republic Act 11470）は、こうした課題に対処し、エリートアスリートの育成と学業の両立を支援するための法基盤を整備した。今回のNAS施設視察とマルコス大統領の発言は、この法律に基づく具体的な取り組みの進捗を示すものである。
原文ソース
Inquirer NewsInfo