Senate bill aims to provide free insurance to Filipino athletes

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) — A senator has filed a bill which aims to provide free insurance coverage to all professional Filipino athletes competing internationally.

Senator Lito Lapid, who chairs the Senate committee on games, amusements, and sports, filed Senate Bill 1152 or the “Professional Filipino Athletes Insurance Benefits Act.”

Under the measure, the state-funded insurance shall cover the medical expenses, travel insurance, death benefits, among others, of athletes competing in any international professional sports competition or in other equally prestigious world championship games, whether it’s an individual or a team event.

If passed into law, the Games and Amusement Board and the Philippine Sports Commission shall implement it.

The bill was filed in time of the upcoming Southeast Asian Games that will open on Nov. 30. The Philippines will have the biggest delegation with 1,115 athletes, and 753 coaches.