The Senate of the Philippines has announced a new integrated development plan to support the national esports and technology sectors. This initiative follows the recent victory of Aurora Gaming PH at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M7 World Championship.
Senator Bam Aquino, chairperson of the Senate committees on education and science and technology, introduced the plan during Plenary Session No. 41. The move formally recognizes the competitive achievements of Filipino teams while establishing a framework for long-term industry growth.
Recognition of Aurora Gaming PH
Through Senate Resolution 276, Senator Aquino officially commended Aurora Gaming PH for their historic win at the M7 World Championship. In his address, he noted the sustained dominance of the Philippines in the global Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) scene, highlighting that the nation has remained a strong contender for seven consecutive years.
Aquino emphasized that the Senate’s involvement extends beyond ceremonial honors. The resolution serves as a launchpad for a broader strategy to integrate esports into the country’s educational and economic systems.
Educational Integration and Scholarships
A central pillar of the new plan involves the committee on education. Senator Aquino proposed recognizing esports as a legitimate tool for character development and learning.
To support this, the Senator is encouraging colleges and universities to establish scholarship programs for esports athletes, comparable to those currently available for traditional sports like basketball.
Furthermore, Aquino advocated for the inclusion of esports as a permanent medal event in the Palarong Pambansa, the national multi-sport event for students in the Philippines. This inclusion aims to foster essential skills such as teamwork and strategic thinking within an academic environment.
Strengthening Local Game Development
Beyond competitive gaming, the development plan addresses the production side of the industry. Senator Aquino revealed that the government intends to strengthen the country’s Video Game Development Roadmap.
The objective is to transition the Philippines from a consumer market of gamers into a hub for creators of world-class titles. This strategy includes providing incentives and support to local game developers.
Aquino, who was instrumental in establishing the Philippine Esports Association, drew parallels between the potential of the esports sector and the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. He suggested that esports could become a major source of employment for Filipinos.
Global Context and Recognition
The announcement comes at a time of increasing international recognition for esports. Senator Aquino cited the International Olympic Committee’s acknowledgement of the sector as evidence of its growing legitimacy.
Recent global developments support this trend. The United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently assigned official business classification codes to esports, formally recognizing it as an industry. Similarly, Singapore has passed legislation recognizing esports and mind sports as official sports.
Industry stakeholders have also noted the role of government support. At the 2025 Esports World Cup, MLBB publisher MOONTON highlighted how nations like Malaysia and the Philippines are incorporating the game into their national education strategies.