President Marcos has ordered the creation of the National Sports Tourism Interagency Committee to harmonize and oversee all government initiatives to develop and sustain sports tourism.


Marcos made the directive through Administrative Order No. 38, which stressed the need to create an inter-agency committee "to harmonize, coordinate, and oversee all government initiatives to develop, promote, and sustain sports tourism in the country, but still maintaining the policy of non-interference in the international affairs of national sports associations."


The committee will oversee sports tourism initiatives, including the bidding for and hosting of high-level international sporting events, and the facilitation of large-scale domestic sports tourism activities.


According to PSC, sports tourism has emerged as a vital tool for economic growth, cultural exchange, and global recognition. 


It underscored that "the development of sports tourism in the country will not only strengthen the Philippines' position as a premier international sports destination, but also generate employment, attract investments, stimulate local economies, and contribute to infrastructure and tourism development."


The committee shall be composed of the heads of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), as the chairperson and the Department of Tourism (DOT) as the vice chairperson.


The committee members will include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Budget and Management (DBM); Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA); Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor); and two private sector representatives, who will designated by the chairperson and vice chairperson, and shall come from the tourism sector.


The PSC, meanwhile, will serve as the committee's secretariat. 


Under the order, the committee may invite other concerned government agencies, as well as local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations, civil society groups, the academe, and other stakeholders as observers and/or resource persons to aid in the performance of its duties and functions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.


It shall advise the President on all matters regarding policies, plans, activities, and programs of the government towards the development of sports tourism in the country.


An Executive Committee shall also be created to assist the committee. It will consist of the chairperson and vice-chairperson, and the heads of TIEZA and Pagcor.


All concerned government agencies were also directed and all LGUs to render full support to and cooperation with the committee to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of this order.


The private sector were likewise encouraged to support the committee.


The funding requirements for the implementation of the order shall be charged against the current and available appropriations of PSC, DOT, DILG, and DBM, the annual corporate operating budget (COB) of TIEZA and PAGCOR, and such other sources as may be determined by DBM.


Malacañang said the creation of the national sports tourism committee "marks a significant milestone in recognizing sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment, regional development and tourism."


It added that it also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 to strengthen the country’s global image through world-class sporting events.