Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2603

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE FAUSTINO MICHAEL CARLOS T. DY Ill

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Sec. 6 of the Guidelines on the Eligibility of Athletes in the Division, Regional
and Palarong Pambansa 2024 states that:

Sec. 6. Eligibility of Athlete — To be eligible in the Palarong Pambansa,

Regional, Division, and other lower meets, the athlete must be:

a. AFilipino citizen;

b. Enrolled in a public, private recognized school (schools
with recognition/permit to operate) or Philippine School
Overseas (PSO) or National Academy of Sports (NAS) in the
current school year and have attended and completed the
curriculum year (for Palarong Pambansa only), regardless of
the delivery mode of leaming, except those enrolled under the
Alternative Learning System.

10K

‘As can be gleaned from the above provision, the Palarong Pambansa only
caters to enrolied students and to a selected field of sports, depriving the unenrolled
youth of the opportunity to develop and showcase their skills in sports and divesting
the government of the chance to harvest greater international recognition through
these untapped activities and talents.


The Philippine National Games aims to widen the field of sports and the
lity of athletes, removing the athlete's criteria of being enrolled in school that is
present in the Palarong Pambansa in order for the out of school youth to have the
chance to participate. In this way, the youth, regardless of educational status, will have
access to activities that will benefit both their mind and body and divert them from
unhealthy or illicit activities that are prevalent in their community.

eligi

In addition, the expansion and institutionalization of the Philippine National
Games will entitle the government to a broader selection of athletes and sports that
can lead to more winnings, medals, awards and recognition from foreign countries. By
diverting more youth into sports and healthy living, the government can save expenses
in curing or rehabilitating its citizens from harmful activities while potentially earning
more due to the international recognition involved.

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

‘AUSTINO MICHAEL CARLOS T. DY Ill
Representative, Isabela 5 District


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2609

Introduced by Representative Faustino Michael T. Dy III

AN ACT
EXPANDING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
GAMES 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 “Philippine
National Games Act.”

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 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 provincial Physical Fitness and Sports Development

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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 “Pa/arong 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.
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) sports

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 Tennis

28) Modern Pentathlon


29)
30)
31)
32)
33)
34)
35)
36)
37)
38)
39)
40)
41)
42)
43)
44)
45)
46)
47)
48)
49)
50)
51)

Muay Thai
Pencak Silat
Petanque
Rowing

Rugby

Sailing

Sambo

Sepak Takraw
Shooting
Skateboarding
Softball

Soft Tennis
Squash
Surfing
Swimming
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Triathlon/Duathion
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Wrestling
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, 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;

(j) Assess the conduct of the PNG and submit an annual report to

Congress; and

(k) 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:

i, Undersecretary of the DepEd, in charge of the Palarong
Pambansa
ji. 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, and the POC.

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;

Coordinate with the DBM and other government agencies to
secure the needed funding and technical assistance in the
implementation of this Act; and

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:

(c) LPP,
i

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

Direct the Philippine National Police to prepare and implement a
comprehensive security plan for the LGU venues where the PNG
shall be held.

LCP, LMP, and LnB:

Encourage the implementation of the PNG in their respective
member LGUs; and


ji. 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;
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;
ji, 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:
i. 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,

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pursuant to the mandates under Sections 389 (b) (13), 444 (b) (1)

(xix), 455 (b) (1) (xix), and 465 (b) (1) (xix) of the Local

Government Code of 1991, as amended;

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 participate in the
PNG; and

(c) Develop and maintain a pool of local athletes and provide
them with the necessary assistance;

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 PPC:

Supervise the NSAs involved in the PNG.

(i) NSAs:

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;

Provide technical assistance in the conduct of their respective
sports competitions in the PNG, including the appointment of
qualified officiating officials; and

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

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by the concerned NSA or international federation, consistent with
the rules of their respective sports; and
(j) National Youth Commission:
i, Promote and disseminate the program and activities of the PNG
to all youth organizations and youth-serving organizations;
ji, 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
iii. Coordinate with various agencies in the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the PSC in the
annual! General Appropriations Act.

The LGUs shall set aside from any available local revenue an amount
deemed appropriate for the preparation, training, and participation of the athletes
in the PNG.

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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