Since the early 1980s, the Philippines have been actively taking part in the Macao and Hong Kong dragon boat races. And in recent years, local dragon boat racing has grown tremendously and the sport's popularity increased tremendously.

Dragon Boat Racing in the Philippines is governed by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation. It was formally organized in February 2003 with the objective of giving autonomy to various private dragon boat clubs affiliated with the national association for Rowing and Dragon Boat Racing otherwise known as the Amateur Rowing Association of the Philippines (ARAP).

To date, more than thirty teams that have been organized comprising students, professionals, businessmen and military personnel actively participate in quarterly dragon boat races to further enhance the standard of the sport among its members.

Aside from the Philippine National Team, various club teams did the country proud by outstanding performances in dragon boat races held in Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and various cities in China, Japan, Australia, Germany, U.S.A., United Kingdom, and Canada.

The Philippines hosted the 1991 Southeast Asian Games when the dragon boat race events were held under the auspices of ARAP and the recent 2005 25th Southeast Asian Games held in La Mesa Dam, Quezon City under PDBF and ARAP.

Local races have also been organized in different parts of the Philippines particularly in Bulacan, Quezon Province, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Pangasinan, Boracay, Marikina, Bicol and Manila Bay as the center of Dragon Boat Racing.