Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez has vowed that Congress will continue to pour resources into the training and development of aspiring Filipino athletes toward their quest to become champions.

Romualdez, the House Speaker during the 19th Congress, made this assurance amid the construction of a P360-million dormitory project that will benefit 400 student-athletes at the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.

The facility--announced by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) announcement--is expected to be completed in 2026.

The government’s continued commitment to enhance facilities and training support for young athletes also follows the historic runner-up finish of Filipino tennis star Alex Eala at the Lexus Eastbourne Open over the weekend.

Eala’s feat marked the first time a Filipino reached the finals of a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament.

Romualdez lauded President Marcos for placing student-athletes’ welfare and future among the administration’s top priorities, particularly through the construction of the modern, state-of-the-art dormitory at NAS.

“Congratulations to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr., through the BCDA and DBM, for this visionary initiative. This dormitory will serve not just as a facility, but as a home for our student-athletes to dream big and strive for gold,” Romualdez said.

“More than brick and mortar, such facilities represent the hopes of Filipino youth for a better and brighter future,” he added.

The ex-Speaker emphasized that Congress will continue to pursue legislation and budget support for sports development, especially for programs aimed at nurturing promising athletes in public institutions like NAS.

“Our student-athletes have the natural talent for sports. With sufficient government support, they have what it takes to bring honor to our country. It is our duty as lawmakers to ensure that their talent, grit, and determination are not wasted but rather nurtured and developed,” he said.

“As Speaker of the House, I commit to reviewing the national budget to ensure these facilities receive the necessary legislative backing—from sufficient funding to sustainable operations,” he added.

He further stressed the need for government to invest in a long-term athlete development pipeline that includes quality training, nutrition and academic support.

“With Congress’s support, we can lay the groundwork for world-class training and holistic athlete development, empowering them to dream bigger and shine brighter,” he said.

The planned athletes’ dormitory will be a five-story building featuring 14 quad-sharing rooms for female students and another 14 for male students. It will also include an atrium, dining hall, recreational spaces, kitchen and dishwashing area, administrative offices, and laundry and utility rooms.

Currently, the NAS houses 270 student-athletes enrolled in various academic and athletic disciplines. The academy is also constructing a new gymnasium and a dedicated gymnastics court to further support their training needs.