Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5040

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution states 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 Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) believes that the sporting success
of a nation is anchored on its reserve talent. Despite the commendable and excellent
showing of our athletes in recent international sporting events, much more needs
to be done in ensuring that the country continues to produce and develop excellent
talents.

The proposed measure aims to develop a grassroots sports program in the
Primary and secondary level by institutionalizing varsity teams in schools. It is the
goal of the proposed measure to develop an optimal and long term development
system of Filipino athletes. Moreover, this initiative will also help to further improve
the character building of students as sports is a great means of instilling the values
of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
‘

JOH! ‘VIN YUL SERVO” NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __5040

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

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."

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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 schools 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:

Archery
Arnis

|. Badminton
. Baseball

. Basketball
. Boxing

. Chess

. Football

PNOVAYNE


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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 11. Performance Profiling of Student Athletes. There shall be a
school-based profiling of student athletes. In case of a student athlete's 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.


SEC. 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.

SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90 after
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Education and the Chairperson of the
Philippine Sports Commission, upon consultation with relevant stakeholders, shail
promulgate the rules and regulations needed for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules,
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this A repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 18. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen days after publication
in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,