TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S. No.
SENATE
413
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25 JUL 10 P4 :43
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL GAMES AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article 14, Section 19 of the Philippine Constitution mandates 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. In view 
of this mandate, the State shall also develop programs and trainings that will encourage 
its citizens to participate in sports and other physical fitness programs.
It is therefore high time that the State support a genuine comprehensive national 
grassroots sports program which serves as the country's premier national sports 
competition and venue for the nationwide talent search for identifying and developing 
outstanding athletes who have the potential to excel in various sports, and place the 
country at the forefront of international sports competitions.
In the government's pursuit to execute the constitutional mandate on sports 
development, former President Fidel Ramos issued Executive Order 163 in 1994 which 
declared the Philippine National Games (PNG) as the centerpiece program of the


government's national physical fitness and sports development effort. However, the 
perennial lack of funding in grassroots sports development including the conduct of 
Philippine National Games, serves as an impediment for us to achieve the objectives of 
the Executive Order. The last Congress aimed to address this by passing the Philippine 
National Games Bill which was unfortunately vetoed.
It is just right to reiterate that the Philippine National Games is not a duplication 
of the Palarong Pambansa since the latter is a school sports program of the Department 
of Education students generally 18 years old and below. Meanwhile, the Philippine 
National Games is a grassroots competition program of the Philippine Sports Commission 
for athletes 18 years old and above representing local government units. The PNG may 
also serve as a primary recruitment platform of the National Sports Associations in 
identifying athlete-members of the National Training Pool as even out-of-school youth 
and elite adult athletes can join the PNG.
This bill aims to provide a structure for a truly integrated and comprehensive 
national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to elite sports development, 
and encourage all local governments to promote the development of sports in the 
countryside covering all barangays, towns, municipalities, cities and provinces. The PNG 
will also harness the vast potentials of Filipinos in discovering and developing potential 
athletes in various sports who could form part of our national pool of athletes and excel 
in international sports competitions. The bill also encourages and assists various National 
Sports Association in promoting their respective sports at the grassroots level providing 
the necessary linkages with local government units.
The passage of this bill will pave the way for improving our sports development 
programs and other initiatives that will promote the welfare of our Filipino athletes to 
further elevate our status in the sporting world.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO


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ssrujii’
TWENTIEH CONGRESS 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S. No.
SENATE
113
25 JUL 10 P4 .-43
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL GAMES AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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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 "Philippine National 
Games Act of 2025."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article XIV, Section 19 (1) of the Constitution 
provides that the State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, 
league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international sports 
competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of 
a healthy and alert citizenry. Pursuant thereto, the State shall institutionalize an inclusive 
national sports competition that will promote awareness and interest in sports, 
particularly in the countryside, generate wide participation of the citizenry in sports 
through the active involvement of local government units (LGUs), and serve as the linkage
between grassroots sports development and national amateur and elite sports 
development.
SEC. 3. Expansion and Institutionalization of the Philippine National Games. - The 
Philippine National Games (PNG), the national multi-sport tournament organized by the 
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), is hereby expanded and institutionalized. The PNG


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shall serve as the country's premier national multi-sports competition and venue for the 
discovery of potential national and elite athletes. It shall be composed of sports 
competitions for athletes and athletes with disabilities. It shall be held once every two 
years and shall be participated in by athletes, including athletes with disabilities, from the 
different provinces, in collaboration with municipalities under their jurisdiction, and cities 
of the country: Provided, That the sports competition for athletes with disabilities shall 
be held after the conclusion of the sports competition for athletes: Provided, further. That 
national sports associations, in accordance with Republic Act No. 6847 or The Philippine 
Sports Commission Act, shall continue to conduct separate competitions and determine 
the athletes, coaches and other officials that will be part of the country's national team.
Sec. 4. Objectives. — The PNG shall have the following objectives:
(a) To provide a framework and structure for a truly integrated and 
comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports 
promotion to elite sports development, including sporting events applicable 
to athletes with disabilities;
(b) To encourage all LGUs to promote the development of sports in all 
provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays;
(c) To serve as a venue for the National Sports Associations (NSAs) in 
promoting their respective sports programs at the grassroots level and 
providing the necessary linkages with LGUs;
(d) To serve as one of the feeder programs for the pool of student-athletes 
who shall be given priority in the grant of full scholarship on secondary 
education program at the National Academy of Sports (NAS), subject to the 
rules and regulations of the NAS; and
(e) To widen the base for talent identification, selection, and recruitment of 
athletes, including athletes with disabilities, who shall constitute the 
national pool to be trained for international sports competitions.
SEC. 5. Participation in the PNG. - To generate awareness and ensure the wide 
participation of athletes, including athletes with disabilities, with the potential to become 
national amateur and elite athletes, LGUs, through their barangay, municipal, city and
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provincial Physical Fitness and Sports Development Councils (PFSDCs), shall encourage, 
promote or organize local sports competitions within their respective jurisdictions as well 
as recruit, train and select athletes, including athletes with disabilities, for sporting events 
competed at the PNG.
Provinces, in collaboration with municipalities under their jurisdiction, and cities 
shall form and send their delegations to the qualifying competitions and, thereafter, to 
the national championship competition of the PNG. National government agencies, 
government-owned or controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and 
constitutional commissions shall support and allow the participation of civilian, military, 
and other uniformed personnel to the PNG through the provinces and cities where their 
personnel are residents.
Athletes, including athletes with disabilities, who will form part of the delegation 
of the participating provinces and cities to the PNG must be Filipino citizens who comply 
with the minimum age requirement of the concerned NSA for the particular sport. No 
athlete who participated in a local sports competition organized by a PFSDC and 
subsequently represented the provincial or city sports delegation in the qualifying 
competitions of the PNG for a particular edition shall be permitted to transfer and 
represent another provincial or city sports delegation in the national championship 
competition of the PNG.
The PNG shall take into consideration the activities and programs of the Palarong 
Pambansa and other local and international competitions to ensure that the welfare of 
the athletes is given paramount importance: Provided, That in case of overlapping 
competition schedules, the PSC, in coordination with concerned NSAs, shall issue 
guidelines on the prioritization of competitions: Provided, further. That international 
competitions where the Philippines is represented shall be prioritized.
SEC. 6. Feeder Sports Programs. - The Palarong Pambansa provided for under 
Republic Act No. 10588, otherwise known as the "Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013", the 
Batang Pinoy Program of the PSC, and other local sports competitions organized by the 
LGUs or the private sector, shall serve as the feeder system for the recruitment of athletes 
by the LGUs for their participation in the various sporting events in the PNG.
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SEC. 7. Sporting Events. - The official sports of the PNG shall include the following:
1) Aquatics
2) Archery
3) Amis
4) Athletics
5) Badminton
6) Baseball
7) Basketball
8) Billiard and Snookers
9) Bowling
10) Boxing
11) Canoe-Kayak
12) Chess
13) Cycling
14) Dancesport
15) Esports
16) Fencing
17) Floorball
18) Football
19) Futsal
20) Golf
21) Gymnastics
22) Handball
23) Hockey
24) Jiu-Jitsu
25) Judo
26) Karate
27) Lawn
28) Modern Pentathlon
29) Muay Thai


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30) Pencak Silat
31) Petanque
32) Rowing
33) Rugby
34) Sailing
35) Sambo
36) Sepak Takraw
37) Shooting
38) Skateboarding
39) Softball
40) Soft Tennis
41) Squash
42) Surfing
43) Swimming
44) Table Tennis
45) Taekwondo
46) Tennis
47) T riathlon/Duathlon
48) Volleyball
49) Weightlifting
50) Wrestling
51) Wushu
The sports to be competed in the PNG shall be aligned with the sports participated in 
by the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games, ASEAN Para Games, Asian Games, Asian 
Para Games, Olympics, Paralympic Games, and other international sports competitions: 
Provided, That the mandatory sporting events in the Olympic and Paralympic Games shall, 
as far as practicable, be included in the PNG, subject to the availability of sports facilities 
and venues in the LGU where the PNG will be held: Provided, further. That, the PNG 
Board may include new and emerging sports to be competed in the PNG: Provided, finally.


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That the host LGU may recommend the inclusion of local sports to promote and showcase 
its socioeconomic and cultural uniqueness through the PNG.
SEC. 8. Creation of the Philippine National Games Board. — To ensure the attainment 
of the purposes and objectives of this Act, there is hereby created the Philippine National 
Games Board, hereinafter referred to as the PNG Board. It shall be the policy-making and 
coordinating body for the preparation and conduct of the PNG.
The PNG Board shall be the proprietary owner of the phrase "Philippine National 
Games" and its related symbols, logos, and concepts.
SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the PNG Board. - The PNG Board shall have the 
following powers and functions:
(a) Formulate and approve plans, programs, policies and guidelines that shall govern 
the conduct of the PNG, and the relationships among the organizations involved;
(b) Form an inter-agency Executive Committee, which shall be headed by a Secretary- 
General, and working committees on screening, registration, accreditation, 
billeting, and appeals, among others, as may be necessary;
(c) Recognize the provincial and city PFSDCs that will be given authority to register 
athletes and teams in the PNG;
(d) Determine the host and schedule of the PNG;
(e) Determine the use of sports facilities, school buildings, and classrooms as may be 
necessary for the conduct of the PNG: Provided, That the PNG Board shall use the
Department of Education (DepEd) classrooms only after all other facilities have 
been utilized;
(f) Coordinate with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and other 
government agencies on the needed funding and technical assistance in the 
implementation of this Act;
(g) Determine the sports to be competed in the PNG, subject to the conditions set in 
Section 7 hereof;
(h) Provide incentives and rewards to host LGUs and winning LGUs;
(i) Develop programs and policies that shall promote the PNG and ensure multi­
sectoral support to the PNG;


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(j) Assess the conduct of the PNG and submit an annual report to Congress; and
(k) To exercise such other functions as may be necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 10. Composition of the PNG Board. - The PNG Board shall be composed of the 
following:
(a) Chair: Chairperson of the PSC
(b) Vice-Chair. Undersecretary of the DILG, in charge of Sports Development at the
local levels
(c) Members:
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Undersecretary of the DepEd, in charge of the Palarong Pambansa
ii. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
iii. President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)
iv. President of the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC)
V. President of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP)
Vi. President of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP)
vii. President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)
viii. President of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB)
ix. Chairperson, Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the 
Philippines (COCOPEA)
The Members of the PNG Board, except the Chair and Vice-Chair, may be 
represented by the next-in-rank officers of their agencies or organizations, as the case 
may be. The Members of the PNG 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. 11. Secretary-General of the PNG. - The Secretary-General shall be appointed 
by the Chairperson of the PNG Board from among the officials of the PSC. The Secretary- 
General shall submit to the PNG Board all plans, programs, and activities for the 
preparation, organization, and conduct of the PNG. The Secretary-General shall be 
assisted by a Secretariat, which shall be composed of existing personnel of the PSC, the 
DILG, the DepEd, POC and the PPC.


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SEC. 12. Roles of Government Agencies and Private Associations. - In addition to 
the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to them by the PNG Board, the 
following government agencies and private associations shall perform the following:
(a) PSC:
i. 
Carry out the overall management, coordination, and implementation of the 
PNG;
ii. Coordinate with the DBM and other government agencies to secure the 
needed funding and technical assistance in the implementation of this Act; 
and
iii. Enter into contracts or obligations essential for the accomplishment of 
plans, programs and activities for the PNG that were approved by the PNG 
Board.
(b) DILG:
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Mandate all LGUs to coordinate, cooperate and support the plans, programs 
and activities of the PNG through the issuance of corresponding 
memorandum circulars or department orders and guidelines within its 
jurisdiction to help carry out the objectives of the PNG; and
ii. Direct the Philippine National Police to prepare and implement a
comprehensive security plan for the LGU venues where the PNG shall be 
held.
(c) LPP, LCP, LMP, and LnB:
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Encourage the implementation of the PNG in their respective member LGUs; 
and
ii. Assist in disseminating information on the PNG within their respective 
jurisdictions to encourage the active participation of their members.
(d) DepEd:
i. 
Align the Palarong Pambansa calendar of activities, programs and policies 
to the conduct of the PNG;
ii. Allow the use of its sports facilities, school buildings and classrooms as may 
be necessary for the conduct of the PNG;
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iii. Allow DepEd teachers, who are licensed or accredited technical officials of 
the NSAs, to officiate in the PNG; and
iv. Issue memorandum circulars or department orders and guidelines within its 
jurisdiction to implement the objectives of the PNG.
(e) CHED:
i. 
Promote the program and activities of the PNG to all higher educational 
institutions;
ii. Enjoin the state universities and colleges to allow the use of their sports 
facilities, school buildings and classrooms as may be necessary for the 
conduct of the PNG; and
iii. Issue memorandum circulars or orders on the alignment of tertiary sports 
events and calendar of activities to the PNG.
(f) COCOPEA:
i. 
Promote the program and activities of the PNG to all private educational 
institutions;
ii. Take into consideration in its calendar of activities, programs and policies 
the conduct of the PNG; and
iii. Encourage private educational institutions to allow the use of their sports 
facilities, school buildings and classrooms as may be necessary for the 
conduct of the PNG.
(g) LGUs:
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Organize the multi-sectoral PFSDCs, headed by the local chief executive, 
that will coordinate the implementation of an annual palaro at the barangay, 
municipal, city and provincial levels, pursuant to the mandates under 
Sections 389 (b) (13), 444 (b) (1) 27 (xix), 455 (b) (1) (xix), and 465 (b) 
(1) (xix) of the Local 28 Government Code of 1991, as amended;
ii. Through the PFSDCs, in addition to their functions, implement the following: 
(a) Encourage, promote and organize local sports competitions within their 
respective jurisdictions; (b) Recruit, train, and select athletes who will


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participate in the PNG; and (c) Develop and maintain a pool of local athletes 
and provide them with the necessary assistance;
Hi. For provincial and city PFSDCs: (a) Register an athlete in sporting events of 
the PNG, including its regional and cluster qualifying competitions; and (b) 
Be responsible for the entire delegation registered in the PNG, and ensure 
their athletes' compliance with the PNG's eligibility rules.
(h) POC and PPG:
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Supervise the NSAs involved in the PNG.
(i) NSAs:
ii. Set the qualifications for athletes and athletes with disabilities who will be 
participating in different sporting events, based on the international 
federations' rules and regulations;
Hi. Provide technical assistance in the conduct of their respective sports
competitions in the PNG, including the appointment of qualified officiating 
officials; and
iv. Allow the participation of all national athletes, registered by the PFSDCs, 
regardless of their membership status with their respective NSAs: Provided, 
That the athlete conforms and agrees to abide by the competition rules and 
regulations of their respective NSAs and PNG; and Provided, further. That 
the athlete is not under any disciplinary sanction, or is otherwise suspended 
by the concerned NSA or international federation, consistent with the rules 
of their respective sports; and 
0) National Youth Commission:
i. 
Promote and disseminate the program and activities of the PNG to all youth 
organizations and youth-serving organizations;
ii. Encourage the youth, especially the out-of-school youth and youth with 
special needs, to actively participate in the conduct of the PNG in various 
roles possible; and Coordinate with various agencies in the implementation 
of this Act.
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SEC. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission in the annual 
general appropriations acts.
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
start of the effectivity of this Act, the PSC, in coordination with the DILG, DepEd, CHED, 
POC, the PPC, the LPP, the LCP, the LMP, the LnB, the NSAs, and the COCOPEA, shall 
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 15. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. - Section 2 of Executive Order No. 63, series of 1993, 
is hereby amended. All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, and rules and 
regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed 
amended, modified or repealed accordingly.
SEC. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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