Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING SPORTS VARSITY TEAMS IN ELEMENTARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the State shall 
promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league 
competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international 
competitions, to foster self-discipline, team work, and excellence for the 
development of a healthy and alert citizenry” and “all educational institutions 
shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in 
cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.” 
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) posits that the sporting 
success of a nation is anchored on its reserve talent. “The success of the elite 
athletes program depends largely on grassroots development. If we strengthen 
grassroots sports, we strengthen the prospects of elite sport1.” 
This bill seeks to develop a grassroots sports program in the primary 
and secondary level by institutionalizing varsity teams in schools. Recognizing 
the vital role of physical activities in the holistic development of young people, 
this initiative aims to instill the values of sportsmanship and camaraderie in 
our young athletes while also paving the way towards achieving more gold 
Olympic medals for the country. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
1 Giongco, Nick. (2017). “Grassroots is key – Ramirez.” Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from 
https://sports.mb.com.ph/2017/10/11/grassroots-is-key-ramirez/ on 24 August 2022. 
September 1, 2022
8:05 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING SPORTS VARSITY TEAMS IN ELEMENTARY AND 
SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Sports Varsity 
Teams in Basic Education Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league 
competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international 
competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the 
development of a healthy and alert citizenry. 
To this end, the State shall provide opportunities for optimal and long-term 
development of Filipino athletes by expanding the base of student athletes, 
increasing the time and frequency for their early exposure, training and 
competition through the institutionalization of sports varsity teams in the 
basic education cycle. 
SECTION 3. Institutionalization of Sports Varsity Teams. – To ensure the 
optimal and long-term development of Filipino athletes, elementary and 
secondary schools, both public and private, shall institutionalize sports 
varsity teams. 
There shall at least be a varsity team for athletics for every school as athletics 
forms the base for other sports. The school shall expand the number of sport 
events to cover gradually according to the school’s after-school sports 
program, interests of students, coaches, and the community. 
Sports events that shall be considered in the establishment of varsity teams 
in elementary and secondary levels shall include, but not limited to, the 
following: 
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1. 
Archery 
2. 
Arnis 
3. 
Badminton 
4. 
Baseball 
5. 
Basketball 
6. 
Boxing 
7. 
Chess 
8. 
Football 
9. 
Gymnastics 
10. Sepak Takraw 
11. Soft Ball 
12. Swimming 
13. Table Tennis 
14. Taekwondo 
15. Tennis 
16. Volleyball 
17. Billiards 
18. Futsal 
19. Wrestling 
20. Wushu 
21. Aerobics Gymnastics 
22. Dance Sports 
23. Pencak Silat 
24. Basketball 3x3 
 
The establishment of varsity teams in traditional and indigenous games, 
dances, and sports shall also be encouraged. 
 
SECTION 4. Organization of Sports Varsity Team. – The organization of 
sports varsity teams shall consider the following: 
 
a. Presence of competent and committed teacher-coaches; 
b. Availability of facilities and equipment; 
c. Administrative support; and 
d. Support of the community. 
 
SECTION 5. Identification of Athletes. – The Department of Education 
(DepEd) shall provide a sports varsity selection and admission system. 
 
All K-12 learners who are officially enrolled in Elementary, Junior High School, 
Senior High School, Open High School, and Alternative Learning Systems, 
especially those who participate in the after-school sports program (ASSP) and 
who can meet the following requirements can join their school’s sports varsity 
teams: 
 
a. Must have passed the physical fitness tests and skill tests; 
b. With parental consent; and 
c. In good academic standing. 


 
 
SECTION 6. Selection and Deployment of Competent Coaches. – It shall 
be the responsibility of the school administration to secure the services of 
competent coaches. Teachers, including sports coordinator, trained in sports 
coaching are the priority in the selection of coaches. 
 
Former outstanding athletes from among the parents or community residents 
may be tapped to serve as volunteer coaches in the sports where they excel 
and gained national or international recognition. Likewise, students and 
graduates of the Sports Track in the Senior High School (SHS) shall be tapped 
to provide assistance in the training of Sports Varsity Teams. 
 
The Sports Varsity Teams may also serve as a venue for the practicum and/or 
immersion of students in the Sports Track. 
 
SECTION 7. Recognition and Training of Coaches. – DepEd shall create a 
mechanism to provide incentives and recognition to volunteer coaches. 
 
DepEd, in consultation with the Philippine Sports Commission, National 
Sports Associations, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the private sector 
shall develop programs to train varsity coaches to become certified trainers 
based on international standards. 
 
SECTION 8. Time and Frequency of Training. – The implementing school 
has the discretion to determine the time and frequency of training of the 
varsity teams, provided that the trainings are conducted after the regular class 
hours and shall not interfere with instructionally-relevant activities pursuant 
to engaging students in learning the lessons of the curriculum. 
 
SECTION 9. More Competition. – Aside for the calendar of regular sports 
competitions conducted by the DepEd, private and public schools shall 
organize varsity match with neighboring schools. A league may be composed 
of public and private schools. 
 
Furthermore, elementary and secondary school may partner with existing 
stadiums and sports centers in the community to host varsity matches. 
 
SECTION 10. Equipment for Sports Varsity. – It shall be the responsibility 
of the school administration to secure the equipment necessary to sustain the 
training of sports varsity teams. Such equipment may be sourced from regular 
budget and extra-budgetary means such as donations from the community. 
 
The DepEd, in consultation with the Philippine Sports Commission, shall be 
responsible for maintaining a databank of standard facilities and equipment 
their technical specifications suppliers and indicative prices for every sport 
covered in international competitions. 
 
SECTION 11. Performance Profiling of Student Athletes. – There shall be 
a school-based profiling of student athletes. In case of a student athlete’s 
transfer to another school, it is the responsibility of the former coaches to 


 
 
transmit the student’s athletic profile to the new school to ensure proper 
recognition and continuous training and development. The student athlete’s 
profile shall show results of previous competitions and improvement in 
clocking in the case of measurable sports. 
 
All elementary and secondary schools shall register and update their student 
athletes’ profile from time to time. 
 
SECTION 12. Registry of Student Athletes. – DepEd shall maintain a 
registry of student athletes and shall make this accessible to colleges and 
universities, Philippine Sports Commission, National Sports Associations, 
Philippine Olympic Committee, and other private sport groups and 
organizations and shall be uses solely for identification of potential inclusion 
to varsity teams in college and universities or in the case of the Philippine 
Sports Commission, selection of national athletes who can represent the 
Philippines in international sporting events. 
 
SECTION 13. Incentives. – Recognitions and incentives shall be awarded to 
school coaches and school heads for their support to the organization and 
registration of their school varsity teams. 
 
Teacher-coaches 
shall 
be 
given 
service 
credits 
and/or 
additional 
compensation or overtime pay for work performed in excess of eight (8) hours 
in accordance with the law. 
 
SECTION 
14. 
Appropriations. 
– 
The 
funds 
necessary 
for 
the 
institutionalization of sports varsity teams, especially the provision of 
equipment, in elementary and secondary schools, shall come from the regular 
appropriation of DepEd. 
 
SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) 
days after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Education and the 
Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission, upon consultation with 
relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations needed for 
the implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 16. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any section or 
provision of this bill is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or 
provisions hereof shall remain in force. 
 
SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 18. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen days after 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,