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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1198 
Introduced by REP. ISIDRO T. UNGAB 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE MINDANAO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND RESEARCH 
INSTITUTE TO BE LOCATED IN THE DAVAO CITY-UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SPORTS COMPLEX, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 11, Section 17 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “[t]he State 
shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts and sports to foster 
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human 
liberation and development.” 
This State policy is furthered by Article XIV, Section 19, paragraph 1 which provides 
that “[t]he State shall promote physical education and encourage sports program, 
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.” 
This bill seeks to establish the Mindanao Sports Development and Training Institute 
which shall be based at the Davao City-University of the Philippines (DC-UP) sports 
Complex in Davao City and shall be constituted as the center for sports development 
training and research in Mindanao. The establishment of the said Institute shall 
advance efforts towards sports appreciation, engagement and participation, 
particularly in the Mindanao region. 
Mindanao is home to world-renowned athletes who have showcased excellence in 
various fields of sports. The 2021 Tokyo Olympics alone has four Olympic medalists 
who all hail from Mindanao – Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir 
Marcial. The enactment of the proposed measure will promote , enhance and 
strengthen sports training programs and research efforts for the benefit of 
communities, cities and provinces in Mindanao – which shall ultimately provide 
opportunities to develop grassroots sports programs and homegrown athletes that 
the region can continue t be proud of. 
July 3, 2025
11:48 am


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In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. ISIDRO T. UNGAB 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1198 
Introduced by REP. ISIDRO T. UNGAB 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE MINDANAO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND RESEARCH 
INSTITUTE TO BE LOCATED IN THE DAVAO CITY-UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SPORTS COMPLEX, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Mindanao Sports 
Development Training and Research Institute Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote and 
develop sports in Mindanao. Towards this end, a center for sports training and 
research development shall be established in Mindanao to: 
(a)
Encourage and promote continuous knowledge acquisition in the field of
sports;
(b)
Advance efforts towards sports appreciation, engagement, and participation
in Mindanao;
(c)
Identify key policy areas, issues, and challenges in the sports sector in
Mindanao;
(d)
Formulate multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary research-based policies and
strategies towards sports development in Mindanao; and


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(e) 
Promote, enhance, and strengthen sports training programs and research 
efforts for the benefit of communities, cities, and provinces in Mindanao. 
 
SEC. 3.  Establishment of the Mindanao Sports Development Training and 
Research Institute. – There is hereby established a Mindanao Sports Development 
Training and Research Institute, hereinafter referred to as the Institute, in the Davao 
City-University of the Philippines (DC-UP) Sports Complex in Davao City, which shall be 
constituted as the center for sports development training and research in Mindanao. 
The Institute shall be an independent agency attached to the UP with its own budget 
separate from the UP.  
 
SEC. 4. Objectives of the Institute. – The objectives of the Institute are as 
follows: 
(a)  To conduct pertinent independent multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary 
research and policy development on sports issues in Mindanao; 
(b) To promote collaborative sports development training and research among 
government agencies, the academe, and other public and private stakeholders 
in Mindanao; 
(c)  To provide assistance to the government, the Philippine Sports Commission 
(PSC), and the legislature on sports issues in Mindanao needing policy direction 
and advice on related matters; and 
(d)  To create and administer training programs and provide fellowship grants 
intended to: 
(i)  Encourage appreciation, engagement, and participation in sports in 
Mindanao; and 
(ii)  Build the capacity of government agencies, local government units, and the 
academe, including graduate and postgraduate students in Mindanao. 
 
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Institute. – The Institute shall: 
(a)  Formulate and conduct research on sports development, sports policies and 
programs, and other sports issues, particularly in Mindanao; 


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(b)  Establish linkages with government agencies, other universities, and private 
and public institutions on existing sports research and policy studies; 
(c)  Conduct research and policy development programs, and capacity-building 
and skills trainings on sports: Provided, That special attention shall be given to 
the needs of the PSC, the local government units of Mindanao, and the 
legislature; 
(d)  Coordinate with the PSC, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the 
Davao City Government on the management and development of sports 
programs in Mindanao; 
(e)  Provide common research and training support facilities and maximize the 
utilization of its technical experts and staff; 
(f)  Enhance the pool of researchers and faculty with graduate and postgraduate 
degrees in the field of sports by providing research grants within and outside 
the UP, among others; 
(g)  Establish local and foreign linkages in sports training and research, and policy 
development; 
(h)  Propose and allocate its annual budgetary resources while optimizing 
resource generation and utilization; and 
(i)  Receive and manage grants, aid, donations, contributions, or any kind of 
assistance for achieving its objectives, in accordance with the rules and 
regulations of the UP. The amounts received and the sources of grants, aid, 
donations, contributions, or any kind of assistance received shall be published 
on its website for purposes of transparency. 
 
The Executive Board created under Section 6 of this Act may assign additional powers 
and functions to the Institute: Provided, That such powers and functions shall be in 
accordance with the objectives of the Institute as stated in this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Establishment of the Executive Board. – An Executive Board, herein 
referred to as the “Board”, is hereby created as the lead policy-making of the Institute.  


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The members of the Board shall be entitled to reimbursement of actual 
traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties as 
members thereof, subject to pertinent laws, rules and regulations. 
SEC. 7. Membership of the Executive Board. - The Board shall have thirteen 
(13) members comprised of the following: a) UP President as the ex officio 
Chairperson, six (6) ex officio members which shall be composed by the Mayor of the 
City of Davao, Chancellor of UP Mindanao, Head of the Department of Sports and 
Human Kinetics of UP Mindanao, Head of the Sports and Development Office of the 
City of Davao, Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority, and the 
Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Mindanao Affairs.  
 
The remaining members shall be regular members of the Executive Committee, 
with three (3) members appointed by the Chancellor of UP Mindanao, and three (3) 
members appointed by the Mayor of the City of Davao. The regular members shall 
serve for a term of four (4) years: Provided, That they are eligible for reappointment 
for two (2) years only after the expiration of their term: Provided further, That of the 
regular members appointed upon inception of the Executive Board, two (2) 
appointees from the UP Mindanao and two (2) appointees from the City of Davao shall 
serve for a term of two (2) years only. 
 
The regular and ex-officio members shall serve as such only co-terminously with 
the appointing authority until their successors are respectively appointed and duly 
qualified. The ex-officio members shall serve as members of the Executive Board as 
long as they are occupying their respective principal positions. 
 
Any person appointed to replace a member who has resigned, died, or removed 
for cause shall serve only the unexpired portion of the term of the member replaced, 
and shall be eligible for re-appointment but only for two (2) years. 
 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the Executive Board. – The Executive Board shall: 


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(a)  Provide the general direction and priorities of the Institute in accordance with this 
Act; 
(b)  Determine programs for implementation, research and policy areas for study and 
investigation by the Institute, in consultation with the Executive Director; 
(c)  Provide advice to the Institute on any matter relating to the development of 
training, research or policy programs; 
(d)  Approve the following: 
(i)  Organizational structure of the Institute including position classification and 
compensation of employees subject to Section 12 of this Act, in coordination 
with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), 
(ii)  Appointment of officers and employees of the Institute; and 
(iii) Institute's overall budget. 
(e)  Monitor and review the programs and projects undertaken by the Executive 
Director; 
(f)  Assist the Executive Director in generating resources and obtaining logistical and 
financial 
support 
for 
the 
programs 
and 
component 
units 
of 
the 
Institute: Provided, That in so doing, no conflict of interest exists with the 
objectives of this Act and the functions of the Institute; and 
(g)  Assign additional powers, functions, and duties of the Executive Director in 
accordance with the objectives of this Act. 
 
SEC. 9. The Executive Director. – There shall be an Executive Director who shall 
be appointed by the UP President within sixty (60) calendar days after the effectivity 
of the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, upon the recommendation of 
the Executive Board. 
The Executive Director shall head the Institute and shall serve in full-time 
capacity for a term of five (5) years which may be renewed. 
The Executive Director shall supervise the Institute’s day-to-day operations 
and implement the Institute's programs, policy directions, and priorities determined 
by the Executive Board.   
 


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SEC.10. Qualifications of the Executive Director. – No person shall be 
appointed as Executive Director of the Institute unless he or she is a citizen of the 
Republic of the Philippines, a college graduate and a recognized expert in sports 
research and development, with at least three (3) years experience in the sports 
administration, and shall have a strong organizational management background.  
 
SEC. 11. Powers and Functions of the Executive Director. - The Executive 
Director shall: 
(a)  Implement and enforce research, policies, decisions, orders, rules, and 
regulations determined by the Executive Board; 
(b)  Exercise administrative and supervisory functions over the planning, 
implementation, and evaluation of the policies, programs, and projects of the 
Institute; 
(c)  Recommend to the Executive Board, the following: 
(i)  Organizational structure of the Institute, including the position classification 
and compensation of employees, subject to Section 12 of this Act; 
(ii)  Appointment of officers and employees of the Institute; and 
(iii)  Overall budget of the Institute; 
 
(d)  Submit to the Executive Board, regular reports on the Institute to include annual 
reports on operations, status of programs and projects, and the financial 
condition of the Institute; 
(e)  Apprise regularly the Executive Board on the programs and projects of the 
Institute; 
(f)  Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of assets, and deliver 
documents on behalf of the Institute, including negotiated or consultancy 
contracts for personnel within and outside of the UP, within the limits of the 
authority determined by the Executive Board; 
(g)  Generate and obtain logistical and financial support for the programs and 
component units of the Institute with the assistance of the Executive 
Board: Provided, That no conflict of interest exists with the objectives of this Act 
and the functions of the Institute; 


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(h)  Not to engage in any act that may result to a conflict of interest with the 
objectives, functions, and powers of the Institute; and 
(i)  Exercise and perform such other powers, functions, and duties as may be 
authorized or assigned by the Executive Board, and in accordance with the 
objectives of this Act. 
 
SEC. 12. Organization of Human Resource Complement. - The human resource 
complement of the Institute shall be organized and set up by the Executive Director 
subject to Sections 8 and 11 of this Act and the existing rules and regulations of the 
UP. 
 
SEC. 13. Education and Capacity Building. -The Institute shall, through its 
Executive Director, support further education and training for its officers and 
employees, which shall include advanced degree studies, short-term programs, online 
courses, and participation in conferences. 
 
SEC. 14. Administration, Management, Operation and Maintenance of the DC-
UP Sports Complex. -The Institute is vested with the authority to administer, manage, 
operate and maintain the DC-UP Sports Complex, including the administration of 
incidental income, security of the complex, assignment of personnel and hiring of 
managers, specialists, and other administrative staff as may be needed and as 
determined by the Institute: Provided, That the Institute shall employ professional and 
highly skilled managers with long and vast experience in sports administration and 
management to ensure the proper maintenance and upkeep of the DC-UP Sports 
Complex and its facilities and other amenities.  
 
SEC. 15. Emergency Use Facility. – During states of calamities as defined under 
Republic Act No. 10121 or the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Act of 2010”, the DC-UP Sports Complex shall temporarily be converted into a multi-
purpose emergency facility upon recommendation by the applicable Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) to the appropriate authority. 
 


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SEC. 16. Appropriations. – There is hereby appropriated out of the General 
Appropriations Act (GAA), the sum of Two hundred million pesos (P200,000,000.00) 
for the initial operating fund of the Institute. Thereafter, such amounts necessary for 
the sustainable operations of the Institute shall be appropriated from the GAA based 
on the annual financial plan approved by the Executive Board and submitted to the 
Department of Budget and Management.  
 
In addition, financial contributions and technical assistance intended for sports 
development may be obtained from the PSC, local government units, other national 
government agencies and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), 
the private sector, and other local and international organizations in the form of 
grants, donations, contributions, payments, fees and charges. 
 
SEC. 17. Transition Period. – Until the appointments to the Executive Board and 
a new staffing pattern shall have been issued, the UP President shall create an ad hoc 
committee under its office, which shall include the Chancellor of UP Mindanao and 
the Head of the Sports and Human Kinetics Department of UP Mindanao as members, 
to facilitate the management and operations of the Institute.  
 
SEC. 18. Tax Exemptions and Tax Expenditure Fund. – The Institute shall be 
entitled to all the tax exemptions enumerated under Section 25 of Republic Act No. 
9500, otherwise known as “The University of the Philippines Charter of 2008”, as 
amended by Republic Act No. 10963, otherwise known as the “Tax Reform for 
Acceleration and Inclusion Act”.  
 
The Institute may avail of the Tax Expenditure Fund pursuant to Executive Order 
No. 292, otherwise known as the “Administrative Code of 1987”, Presidential Decree 
No. 93 series of 1986, Presidential Decree No. 1177 series of 1977, and other 
applicable laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
SEC. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). – The UP, in coordination 
with the PSC, and subject to the approval of the UP Board of Regents shall, not later 


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than thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules 
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act: Provided, That failure to 
promulgate the rules and regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act 
upon its effectivity. 
 
SEC. 20. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
 
SEC. 21. Repealing Clause.- All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, 
rules, and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are 
deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly. 
SEC. 22. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,