The creation of the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission will need just one more signature.
The Philippine Senate has unanimously approved the creation of the commission after the third reading of Bill no. 2077 after its third reading.
The authors of the bill are senators Manny Pacquiao and Bong Revilla.
“It is the policy of the State to promote sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, promote human development, and contribute to economic growth and development,” read the bill’s declaration of policy.
“The State shall provide focus to, and develop excellence in, professional boxing and combat sports and ensure the development and safety of Filipino professional boxers and combatants. It shall also support the growth of professional boxing and combat sports industry, and shall promote the country as an international/regional center for professional boxing and combat sports competition, training, convention, and tourism. It shall also harness the participation, dedication, and technical expertise of stakeholders of the professional boxing and combat sports industry,” it continued.
“Towards these ends, the State shall establish a commission that will formulate and implement a national policy for the development and growth of professional boxing and combat sports.”
One of the programs of the commission is to give health and social benefits to martial artists.
Initially, the proposed commision needed a P150-million budget to establish. It was later ammended to getting funds from the private sector.
If the bill is put into law, it is yet to be known whether the Games and Amusements Board will still continue doing the same tasks and responsibilities as the PBCSC.
