Marcos stresses sports in nation-building, launches new PSC program

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of sports in nation-building during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28.

Marcos highlighted the contributions of Filipino athletes like Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, EJ Obiena, Alex Eala, Jerrold Mangliwan, Cendy Asusano, Angel Mae Otom, and Ernie Gawilan for bringing pride to the nation.

The President announced a new national sports development program that will bring back sports clubs and intramurals in all public schools starting from the grassroots level, with support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and PAGCOR.

Marcos also commended the Philippine men's curling team for winning a historic gold medal in the Asian Winter Games in China in February, marking the first time the Philippines won a winter sports medal since 1990.

The President urged Filipinos to pursue an active lifestyle by making government sports facilities available for public use and encouraged local government units (LGUs) to open parks for exercise.