Following the tragic drowning of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players, Senator JV Ejercito has filed a bill to strengthen safety measures and legal safeguards for student-athletes nationwide.
Senate Bill No. 2269, or the “Student-Athletes Comprehensive Protection Act,” aims to expand current regulations by enforcing clear safety standards during all training sessions, practices, and school-approved sports events.
“Sa ngayon, walang express provision sa batas tungkol sa student protection during practice, training at iba pang school-sanctioned activities. Pero hindi ito sapat, na iasa lang natin sa good intentions ang kaligtasan ng ating mga atleta,” Ejercito stated on Tuesday.
The lawmaker emphasized that student safety must be a mandatory legal obligation for educational institutions rather than an afterthought.
“In filing this bill, we hope to strengthen accountability in the law so that the safety and welfare of student-athletes are not treated as discretionary but as a legal responsibility of schools, coaches, and athletic associations,” he added.
Under the proposed law, schools and athletic organizations would be required to ensure qualified supervision during workouts, establish clear emergency response protocols, conduct regular medical screenings, and maintain safe training environments.
Additionally, the bill bans hazing, harassment, and retaliatory behavior. It also requires schools to give athletes access to healthcare professionals for nutritional and physical guidance, alongside potential free or subsidized medical assistance for sports-related injuries.
The legislative push comes after the recent deaths of Ateneo athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, who drowned during a team-building trip in Dipaculao, Aurora.
“Our prayers are with the families of Rene and Divine during this difficult time,” Ejercito said. “We support a thorough and impartial investigation into this tragedy to determine what caused the incident and, more importantly, how similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.”