NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 2089
r'■ 
> ' J 1iSftiir of tljc»■(' met
23 APR 25 PI 52
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS AND GAMES OF THE
PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Sec. 13, Article II of the Constitution provides that "The State recognizes the 
vital role of youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect the physical, 
moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being...".
The welfare of the youth may be fostered not only in promoting their 
educational well-being but by promoting a balance lifestyle. According to a study 
made by group of pediatricians, play is also found as an essential part of the 
development of children and youth as it contributes to their cognitive, physical, 
social, and emotional well-being.1
Filipino games or commonly known as "Laro" was identified by scholars on 
comprehensive cross-cultural studies to be related to the country's older culture. 
Filipinos, especially in rural areas, gathers and shares games in plazas or any open 
spaces, trying different plays and interacting with each other as part of their 
favourite pastime, recreation and socialization,.
Due to rapid modernization of technology, children are more inclined to play 
video games, and watch online videos than play outdoor and physical games 
eliminating laro as part of Filipino childhood development.
1 
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/119/l/182/70699/The-Importance-of-Play-in-
Promoting-Healthy-Child?autologincheck=redirected
1


In order to preserve and promote indigenous games, this bill will direct the 
Philippine Sports Commission, in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee 
and the local government units to conduct annual regional and national indigenous 
sports competitions. Further, concerned government agencies shall Initiate measures 
to preserve indigenous games in the country by including indigenous games as part 
of the curriculum in the basic and higher education of systems and in other means.
This is also consistent with Section 17 of the same Article of the Constitution 
states that "The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, 
culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, 
and promote total human liberation and development."
For this purpose, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
V
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2089
I';:?; ^tuau^
23 ftPR 25 PI 52 
\
RlXEr.'LD BY.__
Introduc6d by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS AND GAMES OF THE
PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ''Philippine Indigenous
2 
Games Preservation Act'.
3 
Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article II, Section 22 of the 1987 Constitution
4 
provides that the State shall recognize and promote the rights of indigenous cultural
5 
communities within the framework of national unity and development. Furthermore,
6 
Article 31.1 of the United National Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
7 
enjoins all State signatories to take effective measures to recognize and protect the
8 
exercise of the indigenous people's rights, which include the maintenance and
9 
development of their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional
10 
expression, oral traditions, literature, design, sports, and traditional games, among
11 
others.
12 
Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates. It is incumbent upon the State to lay
13 
down specific policy directives to promote the interest of our indigenous peoples and
14 
strengthen our cultural heritage and historical roots. The State shall take necessary
15 
steps to preserve the indigenous people's games which serve as an avenue of self-
16 
expression and promote, peace, harmony, goodwill, and camaraderie among them.


1 
Sec. 3. Indigenous Games. - The term "indigenous games" refers to the
2 
traditional sports and games or activities inherent to the different indigenous cultural
3 
communities that reflect the rich cultural heritage, traditions, or customs handed
4 
down from generation, such as tribal archery, blowpipe, sibat, dug-out canoe race,
5 
rock balancing, sumpit, sungka, patintero, tumbang preso, siato, and other games
6 
distinct to the indigenous communities.
7 
Sec. 4. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Games. - The Philippine
8 
Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee
9 
(POC) and the local government units (LGUs), shall conduct annual regional and
10 
national indigenous sports competitions.
11 
The host of LGU, in consultation with the concerned indigenous, shall have
12 
the prerogative to choose which sports shall be included in the regional and national
13 
indigenous sports competitions.
14 
Sec. 5 Other Means of Preserving the Indigenous Games. - The National
15 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Commission on
16 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), in
17 
coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher
18 
Education (CHED), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall initiate
19 
measures to preserve indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of
20 
games as part of the curriculum in the basic and higher education system of schools,
21 
the production of documentary or other similar means, and the conduct of regular
22 
demonstration of such games in the Palarong Pambansa, and in other national
23 
sports events and appropriate school activities.
24 
The NCCA shall likewise conduct on the various sports traditionally played by
25 
different indigenous groups to ensure their preservation and development.
26 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The PSC and the POC, as the
27 
lead agencies, in coordination with the NCCA, NCIP, DepEd, CHED, PIA, and LGUs,
28 
shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act
29 
within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.


1 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
2 
unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall
3 
continue to be in full force and effect.
4 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
5 
rules and regulations which may be inconsistent with any of the provisions of this
6 
Act, are hereby deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
7 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
8 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general
9 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,