Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday renewed his push for the creation of a Department of Sports, saying the country needs a dedicated agency to build on its recent hosting success and turn the Philippines into a sports tourism powerhouse.
Cayetano made the appeal as the Department of Tourism (DOT), in a Senate budget briefing on September 25, highlighted sports tourism as a key economic opportunity – but admitted its efforts are hampered by limited funding for branding and promotions.
“Hundreds of billions of dollars ang sports tourism sa buong mundo. So, in search of our identity economically — call centers, manufacturing, agriculture — we want the Philippines to be a powerhouse in sports tourism,” he said.
To achieve this, Cayetano said the country first needs a dedicated sports department that will address long-standing gaps in Philippine sports.
Filed in July, his proposed Department of Sports Act of 2025 seeks to create a national agency that will lead the country’s sports programs and foster collaboration with the private sector for sustainable growth.
Its primary task is to craft and implement a National Sports Development Agenda, a long-term blueprint focused on grassroots participation, athlete development, improved coaching, and modernized infrastructure.
Recently, FIVB president Ary Graça gave the Philippines a “10 out of 10” rating for its hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, praising Filipino fans’ passion and the organizing committee’s detail-orientedness.
The tournament itself drew to a close on September 28, with the finals capping the country’s historic run as host.
Cayetano, who co-chaired the Local Organizing Committee, said the recognition shows the country’s proven capability to host world-class events, but noted that this potential will not translate into lasting national success without a clear long-term plan.
“Right now, we have the Philippine Sports Commission. But as a commission, it doesn’t receive a regular budget every year. We really need a dedicated department that will provide focused leadership and a clear roadmap toward the sports industry we envision for the Philippines,” he said.
