By Rick P. Quiambao
BALANGA CITY (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12239, formally establishing the Bataan High School for Sports in Bagac.
The measure, known as the Bataan High School for Sports Act, was signed on August 29, 2025, mandating the establishment of a secondary school designed to nurture young athletes while ensuring their access to quality education.
Under the law, the Department of Education, in coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Academy of Sports (NAS), will oversee the administration and supervision of the school.
In accordance with the policies and guidelines of the NAS System Board of Trustees under Republic Act No. 11470, or the National Academy of Sports Law, the institution will be operated as part of the national effort to strengthen grassroots sports development.
It is also tasked to implement a general secondary education program aligned with Republic Act No. 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, for students from the province who demonstrate exceptional potential in athletics.
For her part, Bataan 3rd District Representative Maria Angela Garcia welcomed the passage of the law, emphasizing that it fulfills a long-standing vision to strengthen sports development while ensuring academic excellence for young Bataeños.
“Nauna na po itong isinulong ni Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III sa 18th Congress at muling ipinanukala ng inyong lingkod sa 19th Congress upang maisakatuparan ang ating adhikain na mapalawak ang serbisyong pang-edukasyon at maitaguyod ang paglago at pag-unlad ng mga kabataang atleta (This was first proposed by Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III in the 18th Congress and was refiled by yours truly in the 19th Congress to fulfill our aspiration of expanding educational services and promoting the growth and development of young athletes),” Garcia said.
She added that the school will provide not only a general secondary curriculum but also a specialized curriculum on sports and specialized training programs.
“Sa pamamagitan nito, masisiguro nating makakamtan ng ating mga mag-aaral ang de-kalidad na edukasyon at masinsinang pagsasanay na maghahanda sa kanila para sa magagandang oportunidad, kabilang ang paglahok sa mga lokal at internasyonal na paligsahan (Through this, we can ensure that our students will receive quality education and intensive training that will prepare them for greater opportunities, including participation in local and international competitions),” the solon stressed.
Garcia also underscored that the law is aligned with the priority of President Marcos to support athletes and sports development nationwide.
“Ang pagsasabatas ng panukalang ito ay isang mahalagang hakbang tungo sa katuparan ng layunin ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na magbigay ng suporta sa mga palaro at atleta sa buong bansa. Lubos ko pong pinasasalamatan ang ating Pangulo para sa kanyang matibay na suporta at paglagda sa batas na ito(The enactment of this measure is an important step toward fulfilling the goal of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide support for sports and athletes across the country. I sincerely thank our President for his strong support and for signing this measure into law),” she said.
By establishing the Bataan High School for Sports, the government aims to provide a holistic learning environment that balances academic training with sports development, helping prepare young Bataeño athletes for both national and international competitions. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
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