The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will team up with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo to establish the largest weightlifting academy in the country.

This partnership to strengthen school-based sports is one of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive during the last State of the Nation Address.

In a recent meeting with PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara revealed that at least 300 schools nationwide currently offer a specialized sports curriculum, giving student-athletes more time for training and physical development.

Both Angara and Gregorio emphasized that weight training and weightlifting should serve as the backbone of the program, powering the engine of sports-focused education.

“The core requirement for any sport is weightlifting,” said Gregorio. “But you can’t just donate equipment without teaching student-athletes how to use it properly and avoid injuries. Someone has to teach them the fundamentals.”

Enter Diaz-Naranjo and her HD Weightlifting Academy. With her unparalleled expertise and status as the country’s first Olympic gold-medal performer, she’s poised to lead the charge in helping shape the next generation of champions.

“You need a champion, an icon, to drive this plan,” said Gregorio. “Hindi naman puwedeng ibagsak mo na lang ang equipment tapos bahala na sila. You need Hidilyn Diaz and her academy to replicate the program in each of the 300 schools.”

"Hidilyn has been helping us raise the next generation of athletes," said Secretary Sonny Angara. "With the leadership of Chairman Pato at the PSC, we are bringing President Bongbong Marcos' vision to life."

Meanwhile, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman expressed her full support to the meaningful initiative, emphasizing the readiness of the administration of President Marcos to provide funding for the project.

“For this project to materialize, we understand that the government should also provide the necessary funding,” Sec. Amenah said.

“Suportado po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang anumang hakbangin upang mapaunlad ang larangan ng sports sa bansa. Sinabi niya po ‘yan sa kanyang SONA, kaya kami po, sa DBM, asahan n’yo pong nakasuporta at handang umagapay sa ating mga atleta para tugunan ang mga pangangailangan nila, kagaya po ng pagpapatayo ng weightlifting academy na ito,” added Pangandaman.

With the support of DBM, P180 million will be allocated for the project.

The PSC, DepEd, and DBM are aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen school-based sports programs by forming clubs and upgrading facilities.

The partnership between the PSC and DepEd marks a major step toward building a National Grassroots Sports Program, following the directive of President Marcos.

While the full list of participating schools is still being validated, Gregorio confirmed that a tripartite agreement will be signed among the PSC, DepEd, and Diaz-Naranjo, who runs her academy based in Jala-Jala, Rizal, alongside her husband and coach, Julius Naranjo.

To kickstart the program, the PSC plans to donate ₱100,000 worth of weightlifting equipment to each school and will seek support from private sponsors and sports foundations for additional gear.