President Marcos has ordered relevant agencies to support strengthening the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) to ensure the country's compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC).

Marcos made this directive during his meeting with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officials in Malacañan on Friday, Feb. 23.

The meeting occurred after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accused the Philippines of not complying with the WADC, and the case has already been elevated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for resolution.

"Inatasan ni PBBM ang mga kaugnay na ahensya na aralin ang pagpapalakas ng [PHI-NADO] alinsunod sa mga probisyon ng WADC (President Marcos tasked relevant agencies to study strengthening the PHI-NADO per WADC provisions)," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

The PHI-NADO is the country's accredited anti-doping organization under the PSC.

In a statement, Malacañang said Marcos is amenable to the PHI-NADO getting its request to augment its manpower to implement anti-doping activities effectively.

To ensure continuous compliance with the Code and in preparation for the upcoming WADA audit, it added that the PSC proposes the institutionalization of an operationally independent PHI-NADO, a separate office attached to the PSC.

"We need to be independent in terms of operational decisions and activities as provided by the World Anti-Doping Code [Article] 20.5.1 granted to the NADOs, without limitation by prohibiting any involvement in operational decision or activities, at the same time involved in management or operations of the federations, the major event organizations, the national Olympic committee, the national paralympic committee, government departments with responsibility for sports as well. So, operational independence from the said entities," PSC Executive Director Paulo Francisco Tatad said.

House Bill (HB) No. 7927 was already filed in May 2023, calling for creating a PHI-NADO attached to the PSC. The bill has been pending with the Committee on Youth and Sports Development in the House of Representatives.

This would entail the creation of plantilla positions for the PHI-NADO and the allocation of a separate budget. For 2024, the PHI-NADO has an estimated budget requirement of P40.87 million for its operational expenses.

In the same meeting, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said PHI-NADO may utilize the funds under the PSC while awaiting their request.