PHILIPPINES Trends and Developments Contributed by: Ignatius Michael D Ingles and Daphne Marie M Gomez, The Law Firm of Ingles Laurel Calderon
low when crafting their selection procedures, which must also be consistent with any mandate of the POC and the ISF to which they belong. These selection procedures must be provided to member-athletes at the beginning of each calendar year to allow them to properly train and prepare prior to selection sea - son. The Bill still gives NSAs the authority to change any criterion in the selection process, but to protect the athletes from last-minute changes that render them ineligible for the upcoming competitions, such changes shall only take effect the year after they are approved. While it is given that becoming part of the NTP does not guarantee a spot in the official line-up for any upcom - ing competition, these athletes must be informed of reasons why they could potentially be removed from it. As such, the Bill mandates NSAs to develop their retention requirements and policy, and to communi - cate the same to all national and NTP athletes. Out of respect to athletes who have been representing the country, the Bill also states that the retention policy must include a policy whereby an athlete who has been in the national team or NTP for at least three years and who was injured while representing the country must be retained in the line-up for at least six months from the date of the injury. If, after six months, the athlete is able to submit medical clearance from a competent physician and returns to training, then he or she shall be entitled to a slot in the line-up, without prejudice to any benefit that may have accrued within said period. Fourth, the Bill seeks to protect the safety and well - being of national and NTP athletes. It aims to ensure that the sports environment is safe, fair and free from harassment and abuse. Thus, safeguarding policies are of high importance in development of sports in the Philippines. In the spirit of safe sport, the Bill man - dates all NSAs to have an ethics committee, a com - mittee on decorum and investigation, and a compli - ance or audit officer. These committees must include persons who are external to and independent from the NSA. The Bill also provides that NSAs have the duty to conduct regular safeguarding training for athletes, coaches, trainers and other team staff.
Fifth, given the high exposure to risks in the nature of sports, it is only proper that athletes be given medical insurance. While there is already a law that provides that all national athletes are entitled to coverage in the National Health Insurance Program of the Philip - pine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the Bill strengthens this by providing that NSAs must ensure that all national and NTP athletes are covered by medical insurance. NSAs may also choose a different, private insurance company to provide insurance for all their athletes. NSAs that opt for private insurance companies must report their decision to the Philippine Sports Commission. Sixth, as the thought of life after retirement from sports is a common fear among athletes in the Philippines, the Bill provides that NSAs must provide long-term support for national and NTP athletes from pre- recruitment stages until post-career. NSAs must pro - vide education and non-sports-related skills training in order to help athletes transition to sports retirement, equipping them with skills and opportunities to help them transition into the traditional workforce. The Bill likewise provides that NSAs must provide a pension for retired athletes, whether or not they won in any international competition. Seventh, national and NTP athletes face immense pressure in representing their country. Hence, it is equally important to protect the mental health and wellbeing of these athletes. To this end, the Bill man - dates that NSAs must have competent, licensed sports psychologists available to national and NTP athletes at all stages of training and competition. NSAs will have to cover the professional fees of these physicians. Lastly, the Bill provides that NSAs must support the non-sports endeavours of their member-athletes. Thus, NSAs are tasked to guide athletes in their com - mercial or business dealings by referring them to pro - fessionals, such as agents or talent managers, who can properly guide them in navigating fields such as brand endorsements and media exposure, among others. To ensure the enforcement of the Bill, the Bill also provides for penalties and funding therefor.
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