House advances bill to shift PSC oversight from Palace to Tourism

MANILA — Lawmakers moved forward Monday with a proposed reorganization of the Philippine Sports Commission, voting to pass House Bill No. 10896 on its second reading. The measure would detach the PSC from the Office of the President and place it under the Department of Tourism instead.

Sections 1 through 8 of the bill outline the framework for the administrative transfer, fundamentally altering the institutional arrangement that has governed Philippine sports policy. The shift represents a broader repositioning of sports within the government's organizational structure, linking it more closely with the country's tourism sector.

The second reading approval marks a critical step in the legislative process, indicating sufficient support among House members to advance the measure toward final passage. The bill must still clear additional readings and approval from the Senate before becoming law.

The PSC, which oversees the development and promotion of sports programs nationwide, has traditionally operated under direct presidential supervision. The proposed change would integrate sports administration more formally with tourism initiatives, potentially creating new synergies between the two sectors as the country develops its international sports and tourism profile.