NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2563
' 'iGTiur ot ; ■ i-
24 FEB 22 All 33
RliCElc LJli • 7
Introduced by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS GAMES OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the disadvantages brought by technological advancement is the disregard 
for the traditional Philippine games. Although Philippine games were popular in the 
1990s, they were now overshadowed by hi-tech gadgets and internet games. Filipinos 
have seemingly forgotten to play these games hence as many children prefer to stay 
indoors and play on their gadgets instead. Consequently, the Philippines games which 
used to serve as our country's socio-historical markers, are now being taken for 
granted.
Thus, this bill aims to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Filipino indigenous 
peoples and promote the significance of traditional sports and games, such as games 
such as bunong braso, ginnuyudan, hilahang lubid, kadang-kadang, karera sa sako, 
luksong-tinik, patintero, syato, and unggoy-unggoyan, in uplifting the well-being of 
Filipinos, especially the youth. It also seeks to safeguard indigenous games as living 
heritage and foster cultural awareness.
Moreover, this bill also mandates the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in 
coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), the National Commission 
on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the local government units (LGUs) to conduct 
annual regional and national indigenous sports competitions. This proposed measure


will also mandate the NCIP and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts 
(NCCA), in coordination with the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher 
Education, the PSC, POC, LGUs, and the Philippine Information Agency, to initiate 
measures to preserve indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of 
indigenous games as part of the curriculum and other appropriate school activities in 
the basic and higher education system, and the production of documentary and other 
materials on indigenous games. Furthermore, this bill will also require the inclusion of 
indigenous games as regular demonstration sports in the Palarong Pambansa and in 
other national sports events.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
2563
''-v;;! V- ©fll:T of i'! S ! ;
24 fEB 22 All 33
ky
Rl'CLIVtD 8V; 
/
Introduced by Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS GAMES OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 Constitution provides
4 
that the State shali recognize and promote the rights of indigenous cuiturai
5 
communities within the framework of national unity and development. Furthermore,
6 
Article 31.1 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
7 
enjoins ail State signatories to take effective measures to recognize and protect the
8 
exercise of the indigenous peopies' rights which inciude the maintenance, control, and
9 
development of their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and expression, oral
10 
traditions, literatures, designs, sports, and traditionai games.
11 
Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it is incumbent upon the State to lay down
12 
specific policy directives to promote the interest of our indigenous peopies, preserve
13 
the intangible cultural heritage as iiving heritage and help people connect with their
14 
historicai roots. The State shall take the necessary steps to preserve the indigenous
15 
peoples' games which serve as the best avenue for their seif-expression, and for
16 
promoting peace, harmony, goodwill, and camaraderie among them.
17 
Sec. 3. Indigenous Games. -The term "indigenous games" refer to the traditionai
18 
sports and games distinctly connected and rooted in the traditions, customs, and
1


1 
practices, and reflect the rich cultural heritage of the different indigenous cultural
2 
communities or indigenous peoples, handed down from generation to generation such
3 
as bunong braso, ginnuyudan, hilahang lubid, kadang-kadang, karera sa sako,
4 
luksong-tinik, patintero, syato, unggoy-unggoyan. These include games played by the
5 
indigenous communities, usually accompanied by indigenous materials and
6 
implements, in observance of indigenous peoples' rituals, celebration of cultural
7 
festivals, expression of socialization, entertainment, and competition.
8 
Sec. 4. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Sports Competitions. - The
9 
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) shall, in coordination with the Philippine Olympic
10 
Committee (POC), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the
11 
local government units (LGUs), conduct annual regional and national indigenous sports
12 
competitions.
13 
The host LGU shall, in coordination and consultation with the concerned
14 
indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples, identify which games or sports
15 
events shall be included in the regional and national Indigenous sports competitions.
16 
Sec. 5. Other Means of Preserving the Indigenous Games.- The NCIP and the
17 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) shall. In coordination with the
18 
Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the
19 
PSC, POC, LGUs, and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), initiate measures to
20 
preserve indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of indigenous games
21 
as part of the curriculum and other appropriate school activities in the basic and higher
22 
education system, the production of documentary and other materials on indigenous
23 
games, and the conduct of regular demonstration of such games in the Palarong
24 
Pambansa and in other national sports events.
25 
The NCIP and the NCCA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports
26 
and games traditionally played by different indigenous groups, in consultation with
27 
the concerned indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples, to ensure the
28 
preservation and continuity of the indigenous games.
29 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
30 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
31 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The PSC and the NCIP as the lead
32 
agencies shall, in coordination with the POC, NCCA, DepEd, CHED, LGUs, and PIA,


1 
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within
2 
sixty (60) days after its effectivity.
3 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or
4 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
5 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, ruies,
6 
and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed
7 
amended, modified, or repealed accordingly.
Approved,