President Duterte signed Republic Act 11649 into law on March 8, granting Hapi Jockey Club Inc. (HJCI) a 25-year franchise to construct, operate and maintain racetracks for horse racing in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Cavite, according to Philstar.com. The franchise officially took effect on March 291.
The law underpins a 50-hectare thoroughbred racing complex in Padre Garcia, Batangas, where HJCI held a groundbreaking on May 3. The event drew HJCI incorporators, racehorse owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys, along with officials from the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom), the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), and local executives from the Municipality of Padre Garcia and the Province of Batangas1.
HJCI treasurer and director Elmer de Leon said the club had engaged Trackmaster USA to design the main track and a separate exercise track. He described the plan as a one-mile twin oval racetrack1.
"We are committed to immediately begin construction of a one-mile twin oval racetrack that will at best be suitable and safe for our prized racehorses. Toward this end, we have secured the services of Trackmaster USA for the design of the main track as well as a separate exercise track that will be the centerpiece of the new racing complex."
The site is described as accessible from the Lipa, Balete or San Jose-Ibaan Star Tollway Exit via P. Torres St. (Lipa-Padre Garcia Road), and adjacent to Lipa City, which the report calls the country's horse breeding capital and home to most of its foremost thoroughbred breeding farms1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Law | Republic Act 11649 |
| Signed | March 8, by President Duterte |
| Took effect | March 29 |
| Franchise term | 25 years |
| Covered provinces | Batangas, Laguna, Cavite |
| Complex | 50 hectares, Padre Garcia, Batangas |
| Groundbreaking | May 3 |
| Track design | Trackmaster USA |
HJCI president and director Raymund Puyat said the club was moving quickly after the franchise cleared both Houses of Congress and the Office of the President. HJCI chairman Oliver "Jojo" Velasquez said the track would be managed by industry stakeholders and professionals, and that horse racing fans could be assured the sport "is here to stay for the long haul"1.
The report did not state a construction completion date, an opening date, a cost for the complex, or when betting at the new track might begin. It also did not say how the new franchise interacts with existing racetracks or operators in the Philippines.
What it means for players
The franchise creates a new licensed racing venue in Batangas, with Laguna and Cavite also inside HJCI's franchise area, so horse racing in the Philippines is set to have an additional operator alongside the existing tracks. For locals, expats and visitors who bet on horse racing, the practical change is where racing and pari-mutuel betting may eventually be offered, not what is available now: no opening date or start of operations has been reported1. General rules on who may gamble in the country are unchanged by this law, and are covered in the Philippines guide.
What happens next
Construction is to begin immediately, per HJCI, with Trackmaster USA designing the main and exercise tracks1. No completion or opening date has been reported.
Sources1 sources
- Modern racetrack to rise in Padre Garcia | Philstar.com, philstar.com
