Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA’
Quezon City

19TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 335

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For more than Thirty -Two (32) years ago, last January 24,
1990, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 6847, otherwise known as the
“Philippine Sports Commission Act” which created the Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC). Unfortunately, the PSC seems to fail in living up to its
mandate of providing leadership, formulating the policies and setting the
priorities and direction of all national amateur sports promotion and
development, particularly giving the emphasis on grass-roots
participation; encouraging wide participation of all sectors, government
and private, in amateur sports promotion and development; and
supplement government appropriations for sports promotion and
development.

Considering the dull state of Philippine sports, there is much to be
desired for the betterment of the sports for the benefit of our athletes and
coaches. The seeming deterioration of Philippine sports should be
addressed. There was a time when our athletes are considered serious
contenders in any sporting event we participate, unfortunately, those
times has passed. Since Mansueto Velasco won a silver medal in boxing
during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the Philippines has not won a single
medal in the succeeding editions of the Summer Olympics. When the
Philippines won its first ever overall championship in the Southeast Asian
Games during the 2005 edition held in Manila, Philippine sports seemed
to have reached its threshold. Unfortunately, the experiences and the
lessons learned in earning that victory were not sustained.

‘The Philippines is rich in talent as can be proven by the many sports
heroes that the country has produced in various sports disciplines. The
success of the Honorable Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao in boxing, Gilas


Pilipinas in Basketball and Azkals in football have brought pride to the
country. The Philippines have always impressed international and foreign
sports personalities with our remarkable achievements. With our rich
talent pool for any sporting event, we can be a perennial face in any sports
competition we join.

This measure will address the various challenges that confront
Philippine sports. This bill proposes the creation of a Department of
Sports, a cabinet-level agency that will provide leadership in the promotion
and development of sports in the country and set the parameters to
address the needs of our athletes, coaches, trainers and sports officials,
The Department of Sports will be responsible for promulgating policies that
will help the country improve its performance in international
competitions. Equally important is the role in finding solutions to the
problems besetting Philippine sports including the lack of a comprehensive
national sports program, the need to enhance the partnership with various
sectors involved in sports, obsolete training methods, lack of modern and
high quality training facilities, equipment, and sport venues.

It is now high time for the government to prioritize sports in the
national agenda, and consider sports as an integral factor in nation
building.

This House Bill seeks to create the Department of Sports, the government
entity that shall lead the implementation of policies on the promotion and
development of sports and health fitness programs in the country.

Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.
MIC} L. ROMERO Ph.D.

Representative
1-PACMAN Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

19TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 335

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFINING ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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
“Department of Sports Act of 2022”.

SECTION 2: DECLARATION OF POLICY - It is the policy of the
State to promote physical education, encourage and sustain the
development of sports programs, league competitions, and amateur
sports, including training for local and international competitions to foster
physical fitness, self-discipline, teamwork and excellence for the
development of a healthy and alert citizenry.


The State recognizes the importance of sports to foster patriotism,
nationalism, gallantry, accelerate social progress, and promote total
human development

The State recognizes the need to promote excellence in sports by looking
after the welfare of Filipino athletes and coaches competing for the country
and by providing benefits and incentives for Filipino athletes and other
athletes who win in international sports competitions and bring honor and

recognition to the country.

Toward this end, it is imperative to establish a single, integrated and
unified national sports body for the promotion and development of sports
program to incentivize Filipino athletes and ensure the wider participation
of wider sectors of the society with the end view of helping Filipino athletes
attain their fullest potential.

SECTION 3: DEFINITION OF TERMS —

A. International sports competitions shall refer to international sports

competitions under the following categories:

1, Regular major competitions such as the Summer Olympic Games,
Winter Olympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Winter Games,
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Youth Olympic Games, Paralympic
Games, Asian Park Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games,
Asian Beach Games and Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Para Games;

2. World-level championships held at least every two (2) years with
at least forty-five (45) countries participating by sport;

3. Asian-level competitions held at least every two (2) years with at
least twenty-five (25) countries participating by sport; and

4. Qualifying competitions for World-level games with at least ten
(10) countries participating.

Competitions granting prize money shall not be included.


B. National athletes shall refer to athletes including persons with
disabilities who are Filipino citizens, members of the national training
pool, recognized and accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee
(POC) and the PSC, including athletes with disabilities (AWD) who are
recognized and accredited by the NPC PHIL and the PSC and who have
represented the country in international sports competitions. National
athletes shall be synonymous with Filipino athletes; and

C. National coaches shall refer to coaches of national athletes, who are
Filipino citizens, members of the national coaches training pool,
recognized and accredited by the PSC and the POC, or the PSC and NPC
PHIL in the case of AWD coaches who have represented the country as
official coaches to national athletes in international sports competitions.

National coaches.

SECTION 4: CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS -
There is hereby created the Department of Sports hereinafter referred to
as the Department.

SECTION 5: MANDATE - The Department shall be the primary
policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity of
the Executive Branch of the government that will plan, develop, and

promote the national sports development agenda.

SECTION 6: POWERS AND FUNCTIONS - The Department shall

exercise the following powers and functions:

I. Policy and Planning

(a) Formulate, recommend and implement national policies, plans,
programs and guidelines that will promote the development and
harness the potential of Filipino athletes with due consideration for
their welfare and success as national athletes competing locally and
in international sports competitions;


(b) Formulate policies and initiatives, in coordination with the
Department of Education (DepED). the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), to develop and promote sports
education consistent with the national goals and objectives, and
responsive to the needs of Filipino athletes and coaches competing
locally and international sports competitions;

() Provide an integrated framework and programs in order to
optimize the potential of Filipino athletes;

(d) Prescribe rules and regulations for the establishment, operation
and maintenance of Philippine Sports Infrastructures;

(c) Establish sports training facilities that will be accessible to the
public and all Filipino athletes;

II, Resource-Sharing and Capacity-Building

(f) Harmonize and coordinate all sports programs, plans and
initiatives to ensure opportunities and maximum development of
every Filipino athlete’s potential;

(g) Assist and provide technical expertise to government agencies in
the development of guidelines in the enforcement and
administration of laws, standards, rules, and regulations governing
the Department;

(h) Assess, review and support sports related research and
development programs of the government in coordination with the
appropriate government agencies and other institutions concerned;

(i) Prescribe the personnel qualifications and other qualification
standards essential to the effective development and operation of
Department;

(j) Develop programs that would enhance the career advancement
opportunities of Department and other sports workers in
government;

(k) Assist in the dissemination of vital information essential to
disaster risk reduction and preparedness through sports activities:


(k) Represent and negotiate for Philippine interest on matters
pertaining to sports in international bodies, in coordination with the
appropriate government agencies and other institutions concerned;

() Establish guidelines for public-private partnerships in the
implementation of sports projects for the development of Filipino
athletes and coaches; and

(m) Promote strategic partnerships and alliances between and
among local and international sports body and/or competitor, for
the research and development, educational and training
institutions, to enhance competitiveness of Filipino athletes and
workers.

SECTION 7: COMPOSITION - The Department shall be headed by
the Secretary. The Department proper shall be composed of the Office of
the Secretary, the Offices of the Undersecretary and the assistant
secretaries.

SECTION 8: SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS - The
Secretary shall be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by
the Commission on Appointments. The Secretary shall have the following
functions:

(a) Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire
operations of the Department and its attached agencies,

(b) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient and
economical operation of the Department, in accordance with the
programs of government;

(c) Review and approve requests for financial and manpower resources
of all operating offices of the Department:

(d) Designate and appoint officers and employees of the Department,
excluding the undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and regional
and assistant regional directors, in accordance with the civil service
laws, rules, and regulations;

(c) Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees of the
Department in accordance with law, including their investigation
and the designation of a committee or officer to conduct such
investigations:


() Coordinate with other agencies and public and private interest
groups, including nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and
people’s organizations (Pos) on Department policies and initiatives;

(g) Prepare and submit to the President through the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) an estimate of the necessary
expenditures of the Department during the next fiscal year, on the
basis of the reports submitted by bureaus and offices under
him/her;

(h) Serve as a member of the Government Procurement Policy Board
(GPPB) as established by Republic Act No. 9184;

(i) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and
administrative orders and formulation of regulatory and legislative
proposals on matters pertaining to sports development;

() Formulate such rules and regulations and exercise such other
powers as may be required to implement the objectives of this Act:
and

(k) Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law of assigned by
the President.

SECTION 9: UNDERSECRETARIES - The Secretary shall be assisted
by three (3) undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President
upon the recommendation of the Secretary: Provided, that two (2) of the

undersecretaries shall be career officers.

SECTION 10: ASSISTANT SECRETARIES ~ the Secretary shall be
assisted by four (4) assistant secretaries who shall be appointed by the
President upon the recommendation of the Secretary: Provided, that two
(2) of the assistant secretaries shall be career officers: Provided, further,
that at least one (1) of the assistant secretaries shall be a person publicly
recognized in the field of Sports.

SECTION 11: QUALIFICATIONS - No person shall be appointed
Secretary, Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary of the Department
unless he or she is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral

character, of proven integrity and with at least seven (7) years of


competence and expertise in the field of Sports and at least thirty (30)
years of age.

‘ECTION 12: REGIONAL OFFICES - The department may establish,
operate, and maintain a regional office in the different administrative
regions of the country as the need arises.

Each regional office shall be headed by a Regional Director who may be
assisted by one (1) Assistant Regional Director.

The Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director shall be appointed
by the President.

The regional offices shall have, within their respective administrative
regions, the following functions:

(a) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and
regulations of the Department:

(b) Provide efficient and effective service to the people:

(c) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices, and
agencies;

(d) Coordinate with the LGUs; and

(c) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned

by Secretary.

SECTION 13: SECTORAL AND INDUSTRY TASK FORCES - The
Department may create sectoral and industry, task forces, technical
working groups, advisory bodies or committees for the furtherance of its
objectives. Additional private sector representatives, such as from the
academe, civil society organizations (CSOs), and federation of private
industries directly involved in sports, as well as representatives of other

National Government Agencies (NGAs).

Local Government Units (LGUs) and Government Owned and Controlled
Corporations (GOCCs) may be appointed to these working groups.


Government sports professionals may also be tapped to partake work in
the Department through, these working groups.

SECTION 14: TRANSFER OF AGENCIES AND PERSONNEL - The
Philippine Sports Commission is hereby abolished, and its powers and
functions, applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment,
property, and personnel transferred to the Department.

SECTION 15: SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT OF SERVICE -
Employees who are separated from service within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act as a result of the consolidation and/or reorganization
under the provisions of this Act shall receive separation benefits to which
they may be entitled under Executive Order No. 366, s. 2004:

Provided, that those who are qualified to retire under existing requirement
laws shall be allowed to retire and receive retirement benefits to which they

may be entitled under applicable laws and issuances.

SECTION 16: STRUCTURE AND STAFFING PATTERN - Subjcct to
the approval of the DBM, the Department shall determine its
organizational structure and create new divisions or units as it may deem
necessary, and shall appoint officers and employees of the Department in
accordance with the civil service law, rules, and regulations.

SECTION 17: TRANSITION PERIOD - The transfer of functions,
assets, funds, equipment, properties, transactions, and personnel of the
affected agencies, and the formulation of the internal organic structure,
staffing pattern, operating system, and revised budget of tin Department,
shall be completed within six (6) months from the effectivity of the Act,
during which time, the existing personnel shall continue to assume their
posts in holdover capacities until new positions and appointments are

issued:


Provided, that after the abolition of tie agencies as specified in section 14
of this Act, the Department, in coordination with the DBM, shall determine
and create new positions, the funding requirements of which shall not
exceed the equivalent cost of positions abolished.

SECTION 18: APPROPRIATION - The amount needed for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be Five Hundred Million Pesos
(P500,000,000.00) taken from the National Treasury.

Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the
Department shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 19: IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The
Department shall issue within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
Act. the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation
of this Act.

SECTION 20: SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. — If any provision or part
hereof is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any

provision not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 21: REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, presidential
decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 22: EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. - This Act shall take effect
fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.