Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

DATE July 28, 2022
* TIME 4:42pm

BY evi
Ke

Wo inpek

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _2704

Introduced by

HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING LOCAL SPORTS PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP YOUNG
ATHLETES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Golfer Yuka Saso, skater Margielyn Didal, basketball player Jack Animam,
gymnast Carlos Yulo, and pole vaulter EJ Obenia — these are just some of the Filipinos
who shone bright in the international scene and brought pride to the country. It cannot
be denied that the Philippines is a home of many champions such for it was able to
bag several medals for winning various international competitions and tournaments.

However, it cannot also be denied that only few Filipinos were able to
internationally compete and represent the country. While Filipinos do not lack in
passion nor talent, they should still be equipped with the necessary tools and skills to
enhance performance, gain confidence, and ensure victory. To be able to provide the
country’s promising youth athletes the necessary support they need, it is imperative
upon the State to allocate funds and financially support them.

This bill seeks to strengthen local sports program to develop young athletes
through institutionalizing three program funds that will be used for: giving young


athletes vouchers to help pay for their registration, membership, participation, and
training fees; supporting local sports clubs, recreation clubs, and sports organizations
for projects and programs; and, assisting local sports clubs, recreation clubs, and

sports organizations in improving sports facilities.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Rep. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative, /Tingog Sinirangan

. ACIDRE
ive, Tingog Sinirangan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hilis, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 2704

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ

and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING LOCAL SPORTS PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP YOUNG
ATHLETES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. Article XIV, Section 19 (1) of the 1987
Constitution provides 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, teamwork, and excellence for the
development of a healthy and alert citizenry.

Pursuant to the aforementioned policy, the State shall appropriate funds for the
upgrade of sports facilities and extend financial assistance in the form of sports
vouchers to mitigate the cost of participation in a sports club, recreation club, or sports
organization of their choice: Provided, That the sports club, recreation club, or sports
organization is duly accredited by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Section 2. Program Funds. To further promote sports and its benefits among
the youth, the PSC shall allocate adequate resources to financially support the
affiliation of young athletes in local sports club, recreation club, or sports organizations
which facilities and activities can provide them the proper venue and opportunities for

3


training and competition. For this purpose, the PSC shall manage and administer three
(3) separate funds, as follows:

a. Get Started Fund. — The fund shall be used to assist young athletes,
including those with disabilities as well as athletes who cannot afford to join
any local sports club, recreation club, or sports organization by reason of
financial constraints. Young athletes shall be provided with a discount
voucher of up to three thousand pesos (3,000.00) annually to help pay for
their registration, membership, participation, and training fees. The
vouchers can be redeemed at a sports club, recreation club, or sports
organization registered with the program;

b. Get Going Fund. - The fund shall be used to support local sports clubs,
recreation clubs, and sports organizations with funding of up to fifty
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) annually for projects and programs that
provide opportunities for more young athletes to become involved in sports;
and,

c. Get Playing Fund. — The fund shall provide up to five hundred thousand
pesos (P500,000.00) annually in order to assist local sports clubs,
recreation clubs, and sports organizations in improving sports facilities and
encourage more young athletes to become actively involved in the sports
activity of their choice.

Section 3. Eligibility Criteria. To avail of the sports voucher, the young athlete
must be:
1. Under the age of eighteen (18) and is actively engaged in any sports;
2. Amember of any recognized or duly accredited local sports club, recreation
club, or sports organization; and,
3. A resident in the locality where the sports club, recreation club, or sports
organization is located.

Section 4. Conditions for the Use of the Voucher. The use of the sports
voucher shall be governed by the following conditions:
1. It shall not be redeemable for cash;


2. It is non-transferable to any person except to another local sports club,
recreation club, or sports organization;

3. It is transferable to another local sports club, recreation club, or sports
organization only once a year: Provided, That the transfer is applied for prior
to the actual use and enjoyment of the sports facilities;

4. Itcannot be reused once redeemed by the local sports club, recreation club,
or sports organization; and,

5. Only one (1) voucher shall be payable to an eligible athlete per calendar
year.

Section 5. Appropriations. The initial amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations
of the PSC. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

Section 6. /mplementing Rules and Regulations. The PSC shall, in
consultation with various national sports associations, promulgate the rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days after its
effectivity.

Section 7. Separability Clause. \f any part or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected by such
declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, ordinances, or administrative
circulars not consistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended

accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,