Deputy Speaker Eric Martinez led a group of congressmen in filing House Bill No. 10096 that aims to build a “Philippine Olympian Memorial that will provide a permanent and fitting commemoration for the blood, sweat, and tears our national athletes have shed to represent the Philippines in the Olympics.” 

Once the bill is passed; the Philippine Olympian Memorial will be established at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Tarlac.

In a webcast edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum, Martinez said that all Filipino Olympians who represented the country since it joined in 1924 will be sheltered in the memorial.

“Naisip ko itong Olympian Memorial Act na ito to immortalize and memorialize not only the Fab 12 na medalist natin sa Olympics. But we will honor all those Olympians since 1924 in David Nepomuceno’s time up to this batch of Tokyo Olympics of 2020,” said Martinez.

“We should never forget Lydia De Vega. We should never forget Caloy Loyzaga. How about Mona Sulaiman, and those other not so popular names but contributed in bringing honor and glory to this country.”

The bill also pushes for an Olympian Museum to cater memorabilia and records of the Filipino Olympians.

“It’s not only about pictures nila ang nandoon, but nandun yung story, yung hard work and perseverance ng mga Filipino (athletes) that will inspire our children and future generations,” added Martinez.

The main feature of the bill is to establish public infrastructures and facilities and name some of them in honor and in after of Filipino Olympians.

These include the Philippine Institute of Sports Football and Athletics Stadium in Pasig City after Teófilo E. Yldefonso, Simeon G. Toribio, and Miguel S. White who won medals in the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Summer Olympic Games, respectively.

A city, municipal, or barangay resolution can be also approved which seeks to rename sports facilities, schools, roads, or streets within a city, municipality, or barangay where an Olympian was born.

In order to commemorate the lives of the Filipino Olympians, the bill also seeks to mandate the Department of Education to integrate with the basic education curriculum the Olympians’ life stories, success, and among others. 

“Remember, our Olympians are heroes in their own rights,” said Martinez.

Meanwhile, the bill also entails an extensive amount of funds to attain all of its purpose to which Martinez assured full attention for appropriations and development.

“Once mapasa ito, magkakaroon na ng appropriations so we can put it into moving,” he said. 

“So tututukan natin ito at popondohan.”