Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Great physical and mental health, self-discipline, competitiveness, 
development of strong social bonds, and holistic character development are a few 
of the various benefits one may receive when engaging in sports. Aside from 
these benefits that individuals may attain, taking part in sports also has the ability 
to leave a lasting and advantageous impact on society. For instance, from an 
economic standpoint, the sports industry is capable of pooling funds around the 
local economy, as well as providing jobs for coaches, referees, gym employees, 
stadium vendors, and many more. Another way sports can affect the community 
is through the unity, patriotism, and nationalism that it can bring through its 
athletes. When Manny Pacquiao, one of the most successful Filipino athletes, 
made his professional debut as a boxer in 1995, the entire country would come 
together with their friends and families to watch his match and cheer for him. The 
same spirit was shown during the 2020 Olympics —the year of the most medals 
won by the Philippines— when the country garnered four (4) medals, one of them 
from Hidylin Diaz, the country's first Olympic Gold medalist, who clinched a 
victory that would later go down in history. Numerous Filipinos, as well as public 
and private institutions, showed their support to the athletes by posting 
promotions as well as their congratulations. To say the least, the sense of pride 
one may feel to see someone from their home country participating in an 
international competition, let alone winning, is a feeling like no other. This 
feeling of victory not only uplifts people, but also inspires them to work hard and 
aim high - a kind of attitude that is important in society. 
While joining an international competition is the ultimate goal of most 
athletes, it must be remembered that the benefits sports may bring to society can 
still be attained through lower divisions such as amateur, local, and national 
sports. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and The University 
Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) have been grooming skillful 
athletes for decades, and every year, their sporting events are highly anticipated 
January 20, 2023
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by many fans around the country as it provides a sense of excitement and passion 
for the athletes that they support. 
The Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) which was established in 1990 
was made with the purpose of encouraging and promoting sports in all sectors. 
However, it seems that after about three (3) decades, the government agency 
became unsustainable and is no longer able to live up to its mandate. Given this, 
this Bill seeks to establish a Department of Sports in order to fully focus, 
implement, promote, and better execute all aspects related to the development of 
sports and athletes in the country. The cabinet-level agency aims to provide 
leadership in the advancement of sports in the country, as well as aspires to 
address the various challenges of the sports industry such as the lack of adequate 
facilities and equipment, the improvement of training programs, and the absence 
of a comprehensive nationwide sports program. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought. 
EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
“AN ACT DECLARING A NATIONAL POLICY FOR SPORTS AS AN 
ENGINE FOR NATION-BUILDING, SOCIAL PROGRESS, AND 
PROMOTION OF TOTAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFINING ITS 
POWER AND FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR” 
Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Department 
of Sports Act of 2023.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is mandated by the 1987 
Constitution under Article 11, Section 17 that the State shall prioritize sports in 
order to foster patriotism, nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote 
total human liberation and development. In addition to this, under Section 19 of 
the same Article, the State is also mandated to promote and encourage sports 
programs, league competitions, amateur sports, and provide training for 
international competitions in order to nurture self-discipline, teamwork, and 
excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry. Hence, the 
government shall exert all efforts to produce initiatives that would encourage 
citizens to participate in the different divisions of sports in order to build a 
motivated and harmonious society. 
SECTION 3. Objectives. 
a) Establish a single, unified, and integrated national sports body to
take the lead in developing Filipino athletes to their fullest potential
and put Philippine sports into its utmost performance;
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b) Prepare, formulate, implement, and oversee an integrated and 
comprehensive nationwide sports promotion and development 
program in consultation with the stakeholders as well as other 
government 
agencies, 
non-governmental 
organizations, 
associations, and groups involved in sports; 
 
c) Promote a nationwide grassroots-based sports development program 
and strengthen the sports club system; 
 
d) Encourage the participation of Filipino athletes in regional and 
international sports competitions including, but not limited to, the 
South East Asian Games, the Olympics, the Paralympics, the 
Universiade or World University Games as well as international, 
regional, and world competitions staged by other reputable 
international sports associations, federations and organizations; 
 
e) Promote leadership in the development of sports in the country, 
formulate policies, and set the priorities and direction of all national 
amateur sports promotion and development; 
 
f) Encourage wider participation of all sectors, government and 
private, in amateur sports promotion and development; 
 
g) Improve the performance of Filipino athletes in regional and 
international sports competitions and develop athletes to become a 
source of national pride; 
 
h) Provide resources, services, and facilities to enable Filipinos to 
pursue and achieve excellence in sports; 
 
i) Ensure equal access to physical education and sports which are 
essential for the full development of a person's personality; 
 
j) To promote excellence in sports, and through sports, by providing 
for the welfare of national athletes, coaches, and trainers competing 
for their country. 
 
k) Foster peace and camaraderie within the country through 
competitive and recreational sports; 
 
l) Motivate educational institutions to offer athletic programs to their 
students as well as provide support for them; 
 


m) Provide guidelines and protection for athletes when it comes to 
wrongful treatment from their teammates, coaches, or other people 
of authority; 
 
n) Encourage parents of aspiring and current athletes to support their 
Children in their journey of engaging in sports. 
 
 
CHAPTER II 
DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS 
 
SECTION 4. Mandate. - The Department of Sports, hereinafter referred 
to as “the Department,” is hereby established to carry out the above-declared 
objectives. It shall be the primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating, 
implementing, and regulating agency in the promotion and development of sports 
and physical fitness in the country. Moreover, it shall instill in the Filipino the 
industry's fundamental importance in nation-building and social progress; and in 
fostering peace and camaraderie. 
 
SECTION 5. Duties and Functions. - The Department shall exercise the 
following duties and functions: 
 
a) Prepare, fully implement and oversee an Integrated Sports 
Promotion and Development Program (ISPDP) consistent with the 
policies declared in Section 3 hereof, in coordination with various 
sectors involved in sports, such as the Philippine Olympic 
Committee, the national sports associations, the public and private 
schools, government corporations and entities, the local government 
units, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other sports 
organizations and private corporations; 
 
b) Establish and maintain linkages with international sports 
associations, national sports organizations of other countries and 
international non-governmental organizations whose common main 
objective is sports; 
 
c) Establish, develop, and maintain fully-equipped sports facilities and 
centers in strategic places around the country and, as far as 
practicable, include modern sports 
complexes 
adequate 
for 
hosting major international competitions; 
 


d) Rationalize and regulate the establishment of publicly funded sports 
complexes and supervise the management and maintenance thereof, 
excluding those owned by educational institutions; 
 
e) Plan and formulate programs, and review and evaluate the 
organizational set-up, projects, and programs of the Department; 
 
f) Delineate and define the areas of responsibilities of all sectors 
involved in the promotion and development of sports, respecting the 
individual set-up, priorities, structure, and competence of the 
different government and private institutions; 
 
g) Assist the proper government agency in the formulation of an 
industry incentives program for the manufacture of sports equipment 
and supplies of international standard quality in the Philippines; 
 
h) Provide such 
incentives, recognitions, and awards to deserving 
associations, athletes, game officials, coaches, trainers, and other 
persons or entities involved in or supporting sports development; 
 
i) Recommend and propose to the Department of Education (DepEd), 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other 
government agencies and instrumentalities, which conduct sports 
programs, to incorporate in their respective annual budget a separate 
and specific budget for sports promotion and development; 
 
j) Encourage, promote and sustain the creation and establishment of 
regional, provincial, municipal and barangay or school district sports 
promotion and development councils, composed of officials of the 
DepEd, DILG, local government units (LGUs) and representatives 
of the private sector, which shall initiate, conduct and coordinate 
sports activities in their respective jurisdictions; 
 
k) Exercise such other acts as are incident to or are appropriate and 
necessary in connection with the creation of the Department. 
 
SECTION 6. Powers of the Department. - The Department shall exercise 
the following powers to do all acts and things necessary to be done in connection 
with the performance of its functions: 
 
a) Appoint the officers and other personnel of the Department and fix 
their compensation subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations; 
 


b) Delegate authority for the performance of any function to officers 
and employees under its direction; 
 
c) Enter into contracts; 
 
d) Acquire, use and control any land, building, facilities, equipment, 
instruments, tools, and rights required or otherwise necessary for the 
accomplishment of the purposes of the Department; 
 
e) Acquire, own, possess, and dispose of any real or personal property; 
 
f) Regulate the acquisition, procurement, distribution, and use of 
sportswear, equipment, instruments, tools, and other sports 
essentials necessary and required for training of a national pool of 
athletes; 
 
g) Confer, extend, and grant awards, benefits, and privileges to athletes 
and officials for outstanding performances in national and 
international competitions; 
 
h) Confer, extend and grant support or assistance to sports associations 
that are in good standing with the Department; 
 
i) Exercise supervisory and visitorial powers over the national sports 
associations in connection with their sports promotion and 
development programs with respect to which financial assistance is 
extended by the Department; 
 
j) Accept donations, gifts, bequests, and grants for the purposes of the 
Department; 
 
k) Ensure the implementation by various government departments and 
agencies of their sports promotion and development programs as 
indicated in their respective annual budgets; 
 
l) Impose sanctions upon any national sports association, institution, 
organization, body, entity, team, athletes, and sports official for 
violation of its policies, rules, and regulations; 
 
m) Solve disputes that involve sports, competitions, people of authority, 
and athletes; and 
 


n) Perform any and all other acts incidental to or required by virtue of 
its creation. 
 
SECTION 7. Composition of the Department. The Department shall be 
composed of a Secretary of Sports who shall be appointed by the President, 
subject to the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, three (3) 
Undersecretaries, and three (3) Assistant Secretaries who shall also be appointed 
by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary. 
 
SECTION 8. Qualification of the Secretary, Undersecretary, and the 
Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary, Undersecretary, and Assistant Secretaries 
must be Filipino Citizens, at least Thirty-Five (35) years of age, must have been 
a former athlete representing the Philippines in any sporting event, and of proven 
good moral character and probity. 
 
SECTION 9. Compensation. - The Secretary, Undersecretaries and 
Assistant Secretaries shall be entitled to compensation and to other benefits and 
privileges provided under existing laws. 
 
SECTION 10. Secretary. - The authority and responsibility for the 
discharge of its power and functions shall be vested in the Secretary who shall 
have supervision and control of the Department. 
 
SECTION 11. Duties of the Secretary. - The Secretary shall perform the 
following duties: 
 
a) Exercise over-all supervision and direction 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 the 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 in 
accordance with the civil service laws, rules and regulations; 
 
e) Advice the President on the promulgation of executive and 
administrative orders, regulatory and legislative proposals on 
matters pertaining to the promotion and development of sports and 
physical fitness in the country; 


 
f) Implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and 
regulations issued by the Department; 
 
g) Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of assets 
and deliver documents on behalf of the Department; 
 
h) Approve the organizational structure, staffing pattern, operating and 
capital expenditures of the Department; and  
 
i) Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other 
duties as may be authorized, delegated, or assigned. 
 
SECTION 12. Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. - The 
Secretary shall be assisted by three (3) Undersecretaries and three (3) Assistant 
Secretaries all of whom shall be appointed by the President from a list of 
nominees submitted by duly recognized sports associations and organizations in 
the Philippines. 
 
SECTION 13. Regional Offices. - The Department shall establish, operate 
and maintain a regional office in each administrative region of the country. The 
regional office shall be headed by a regional director and assisted by an assistant 
regional director. The regional offices shall, within their respective administrative 
regions, exercise 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 local government units; and 
 
e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law. 
 
SECTION 14. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Secretary shall 
determine the organizational structure and create new divisions or units as may 
be deemed necessary and shall appoint officers and employees of the Department 
in accordance with the civil service rules and regulations 
 


SECTION 15. Secretariat. - The Department shall create a secretariat 
which shall be primarily responsible for the financial management, personnel 
records, supplies and equipment, public information and production, 
transportation, communication, legal, policy research and planning, and such 
other functions and responsibilities as may be necessary and required by the 
Department. 
 
SECTION 16. Special Bureau. - To ensure the proper and efficient 
implementation of this Act, the following special bureaus under the Department 
are hereby created: 
 
a) Amateur Sports Development Bureau; 
 
b) National and Local Sports Development Bureau; and 
 
c) Professional and International Sports Development Bureau 
 
SECTION 17. Amateur Sports Development Bureau (ASDB). - The 
Amateur Sports Development Bureau shall be headed by an executive director 
and shall be primarily responsible for the promotion and development of amateur 
sports in the Philippines 
 
The ASDBB shall exercise the following functions: 
 
a) Plan, implement and oversee an integrated nationwide amateur 
sports promotion and development program for the country in 
coordination with various entities, the LGUs, the Armed Forces of 
the Philippines and such other sectors in the sports industry; 
 
b) Formulate and implement a physical fitness testing and evaluation 
program to determine, monitor and establish a fitness profile of the 
different sectors of society, and a grassroots development program 
in order to encourage, improve and enhance physical fitness and 
participation in sports of the citizens at the city, municipality and 
barangay level; 
 
c) Develop and implement, in coordination with the Department of 
Education, a physical fitness education curriculum in the basic 
education system that will foster and promote participation in sports; 
 
d) Plan and conduct regular informal sports competitions at the national 
and local levels; 
 


e) Create fundraisers in the form of sports competitions in coordination 
with the LGUs and business corporations; 
 
f) Encourage and promote the creation and establishment of regional, 
provincial, municipal, and barangay sports promotion and 
development councils which shall initiate, conduct, and coordinate 
sports activities in their respective jurisdiction; 
 
g) Provide the leadership and set the priorities and direction of all 
national amateur sports promotion and development, giving 
emphasis on grassroots participation; 
 
h) Encourage wide participation of all sectors, government and private, 
in amateur sports promotion and development; 
 
i) Promote social and cultural integration through the revival of 
indigenous games and sports; 
 
j) Identify and nurture sports talents for further development and 
promote excellence in sports, traditional games, and other physical 
activities; 
 
k) Recommend the formulation of policies and programs that will 
foster the development of amateur sports, especially at the grassroots 
level; 
 
l) Impose sanction upon any national sports association, institution, 
organization, body, entity, team, athlete, and sports officials engaged 
in amateur sports for violation of its policies, rules, and regulations; 
 
m) Ensure the implementation by various government departments and 
agencies of their sports promotion and development programs as 
indicated in their respective annual budgets; 
 
n) Aid athletes who would like to participate in sports at a higher level 
by coordinating with the National and Local Sports Development 
Bureau; and 
 
o) Perform acts that are necessary or incidental to the proper exercise 
of its functions. 
 
SECTION 18. National and Local Sports Development Bureau - The 
National and Local Sports Development Bureau shall be headed by an executive 


director and shall be primarily responsible for the promotion and development of 
national and local sports in the Philippines. 
 
The NLSDB shall also have the following functions: 
 
a) Plan, implement and oversee an integrated nationwide national and 
local sports promotion and development 
program 
for 
the 
country in coordination with the different national sports 
associations such as the Philippines National Collegiate Athletic 
Association (NCAA), University Athletic Association of the 
Philippines (UAAP), as well as other national sports leagues 
associations; 
 
b) Work hand-in-hand with educational institutions offering sports for 
their students in the middle school, high school, senior high school, 
and collegiate level;  
 
c) Create and establish a board of directors that shall initiate, conduct, 
and coordinate sports activities in their respective leagues and 
associations; 
 
d) Identify and nurture sports talents for further development and 
promote excellence in sports, traditional games, and other physical 
activities; 
 
e) Impose sanction upon any national sports association, institution, 
organization, body, entity, team, athlete, and sports officials engaged 
in amateur sports for violation of its policies, rules, and regulations;  
 
f) Establish and implement a system for identifying and developing 
athletic talents for inclusion in the professional athlete's pool;  
 
g) Perform acts that are necessary or incidental to the proper exercise 
of its functions. 
 
SECTION 19. Professional and International Sports Development 
Bureau. The Professional and International Sports Development Bureau to be 
headed by an executive director shall have the following functions: 
 
a) Formulate and recommend the adoption of a national training and 
development program for athletes participating in international 
competitions in all relevant sports, in coordination and cooperation 
with the concerned national sports association; 


 
b) Plan, implement and administer all aspects to ensure successful 
participation of the country in regional and international sporting 
events, games and competition; and 
 
c) Ensure the availability of adequate budget and resources for said 
purposes. 
 
SECTION 20. Divisions under the International Sports Development 
Bureau. There shall be established two divisions under the International Sports 
Development Bureau, as follows: 
 
a) Professional Sports Division; and 
 
b) International Sports Competition Division. 
 
SECTION 21. Professional Sports Division. - The Professional Sports 
Division shall have the following functions: 
 
a) Process, facilitate, and oversee agreements and transactions 
conducted between and among the Department, national sports 
associations, and other local 
and 
international 
sports
 
institutions federations, associations, and organizations to 
ensure their compliance with the policies and programs of the 
Department; 
 
b) Facilitate all necessary arrangements for the athletes playing on a 
national professional level; 
 
c) Facilitate all necessary arrangements for the participation of national 
professional athletes who are eligible to enter international 
competitions; 
 
d) Develop, prescribe and ensure the observance of criteria and 
standards for professional athletes and sports teams representing the 
country in international competitions; 
 
e) Prescribe the criteria for selecting individuals, associations, or clubs 
entitled to financial and other forms of support to enable their 
participation in international conferences seminars, clinics, 
competitions, and similar programs; and 
 
f) Establish appropriate linkages with international sports bodies. 


 
 
SECTION 22. International Sports Competition Division. The 
International Sports Competition Division shall have the following functions: 
 
a) Coordinate with the national sports associations and the Philippine 
Olympic Committee for the preparation and training of the members 
of the national athlete's pool; 
 
b) Develop, prescribe and monitor the implementation of criteria for 
the selection and retention of members of the national athletes' pool 
supported by the Department; 
 
c) Coordinate with the national sports association in monitoring and 
conducting periodic evaluation of members of the national athletes' 
pool; 
 
d) Assist the national sports associations in the selection of national 
team members for international competition; and 
 
e) Identify and recommend athletes, coaches, and international sports 
participants who may qualify for awards and incentives. 
 
CHAPTER III 
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE 
 
SECTION 23. Philippine Olympic Committee. - The Philippine Olympic 
Committee which is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee shall 
continue to be recognized   as the National Olympic Committee for the 
Philippines. It is autonomous in character. 
 
The Philippine Olympic Committee shall maintain its primary 
responsibilities for activities pertaining to the country's participation in the 
Olympic Games, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, and other international 
athletic competitions in accordance respectively with the rules and regulations of 
the International Olympic Committee, the international Olympic Council of Asia, 
the Southeast Asian Games Federation and other international sports bodies. 
 
SECTION 24. Functions. - The Philippine Olympic Committee shall have 
the following powers and functions:  
 


a) Be responsible for the representation of the Philippines in all 
international sports competitions and undertake the organization of 
these games when held in the Philippines; 
 
b) Arrange the transportation and housing of the national delegation in 
the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, and 
other events held under the patronage of the International Olympic 
Committee and Olympic Council Asia; 
 
c) Be responsible for the behavior of the members of the Philippine 
delegation in all games and events; 
 
d) Prescribe and determine, in consultation with the respective national 
sports association, the clothing and uniforms to be worn by the 
members of the Philippine delegation in all international sports 
competitions in accordance with What is prescribed by their 
respective sports; 
 
e) Strive against deviation from sporting principles, particularly 
against all forms of doping under the World Anti-Doping Code; 
 
f) Exercise the exclusive right to use the Olympic symbol, flag, motto, 
and anthem within the framework of its non-profit activities: 
Provided, that such use contributes to the development of the 
Olympic movement and does not detract from its dignity; 
 
g) Coordinate closely with relevant international organizations 
recognized by the International Olympic Committee, particularly the 
Olympic Council of Asia and the Southeast Asian Games Federation 
 
h) Participate in the activities of the International Olympic Committee's 
Olympic Solidarity; 
 
i) Act as the final arbitrator of all intra-national sport associations 
conflicts and disputes, as well as, cases arising from or in connection 
with the Olympic Games or any form of doping offenses in case the 
same disputes cannot be settled or resolved with the national sports 
associations processes and procedures; and 
 
j) Perform such other acts as may be deemed necessary for the proper 
accomplishment of their purposes. 
 
CHAPTER IV 


NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS 
 
SECTION 25. National Sports Associations. The national sports 
associations organized for their respective sports in the Philippines and affiliated 
with their respective international federations which are recognized by the 
International Olympic Committee shall be recognized as such by the Department. 
The Department shall also recognize special national sports associations to 
represent the differently-abled and school-based sports associations which shall, 
for all intent and purposes, have the same status, privileges, and obligations as 
regular national sports associations. The national sports associations recognized 
by the Department shall be autonomous and shall have exclusive technical control 
over the promotion and development of the particular sport for which they are 
organized, subject however to the supervisory powers of the Department. Each 
national sports association shall, by its constitution and by-laws, determine its 
organization and membership: Provided, that no team, school, club, organization, 
or entity shall be admitted as a voting member of a national sports association 
unless sixty percent (60%) of the athletes composing said team, school, club, 
organization or entity are Filipino citizens. The Department recognizes the 
following functions, powers, duties, and responsibilities of the various national 
sports associations: 
 
a) Adopt a constitution and by-laws not inconsistent with this Act; 
 
b) Raise funds by donations, benefits, and other means for their 
purposes; 
 
c) Purchase, sell, lease or otherwise encumber property, real or 
personal, for the accomplishment of their respective purposes; 
 
d) Affiliate with international or regional sports associations; 
 
e) Conduct competitions for the promotion of their respective sports; 
 
f) Appoint their representative to the Philippine Olympic Committee; 
 
g) Decide all questions on the amateur status and discipline of the 
athletes and officials connected with the associations as well as the 
members thereof and all disputes between members; 
 
h) Adopt, in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee, a 
training program for the development of the athletes and their 
preparation for international competitions; 
 


i) Select the athletes, coaches and other officials for their national 
teams taking into consideration not only their athletic abilities but 
also their discipline, moral character, aptitude and attitude; 
 
j) Keep accurate records of all official marks, scores and results 
attained by the athletes in all competitions, as well as all results of 
sports competitions, recognize and confirm the same and furnish 
copies to the Department; 
 
k) Qualify and license referees, umpires and other game officials who 
shall officiate in competitions in their respective sports; and 
 
l) Perform such other acts as may be deemed necessary for the proper 
accomplishment of their purposes. 
 
SECTION 26. Incentives and Other Non-monetary Benefits. he 
Department shall grant incentives, cash, and other non-monetary benefits to all 
national athletes, coaches, and trainers who bring honor and recognition to the 
country by winning in 
 
CHAPTER V 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
SECTION 27. Tax Exemption. To encourage popular participation in 
amateur sports, no tax of any kind shall be levied on the use of sports facilities, 
whether the tax is on the user, owner, or operator of the sports facility. 
 
SECTION 28. Donations and Contributions. All donations and 
contributions to the Department in connection with its fund-raising projects and 
its continuing sports development programs shall be exempt from the donor's 
taxes, and shall be deductible in full in the computation of the taxable net income 
of the donor. Donations and contributions to the various national sports certified 
by the Department pursuant to the development of sports in the country shall 
likewise be exempt from the payment of the donor's and estate taxes and shall be 
deductible in full in computing the taxable net income of the donor.  
 
SECTION 29. Exemption from Travel Taxes. The Department and its 
delegation or representatives to any international sports competitions, 
conventions, conferences, meetings and events, and athletes, coaches, and other 
officials to any international competition shall be exempt from the payment of 
travel tax, airport tax, and any other travel-related taxes or fees now or hereafter 
imposed by law or regulation. 
 


SECTION 30. Presidential Land Grant. The provisions of any existing 
law to the contrary notwithstanding, the President may, upon the recommendation 
of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, grant by donation, sale, 
lease, or otherwise, to the Department portions of the land of the public domain 
as may be necessary for the establishment of regional training centers in all the 
regions of the country and for the accomplishment of any of its purposes. 
 
SECTION 31. Sports Facilities. The administration and full control of all 
existing sports facilities, including land, buildings, and equipment owned by the 
national government as well as those owned by government-funded foundations, 
associations, and entities shall be transferred to the Department. The sports 
facilities owned by the local government units, state colleges, and universities, or 
public schools shall remain with the said institution or entities. The management 
and full control of all the land, buildings, equipment, and other improvements of 
the government-owned sports complex and velodrome shall be transferred to the 
Department upon the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SECTION 32. Assistance by Government Entities. The Department may 
call upon any government entity for assistance in the performance of its functions 
and duties. All heads of departments agencies, corporations, and offices of the 
government are hereby enjoined to render full assistance and cooperation to the 
Department to ensure the attainment of its objectives and the success of the 
national sports development program. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
 
SECTION 33. Abolition of the Philippine Sports Commission. The 
Philippine Sports Commission created under Republic Act No. 6847 is hereby 
abolished. The powers and functions, applicable funds and appropriations, 
records, equipment, property, and personnel shall be transferred to the 
Department. The Philippine Sports Commission shall conduct an inventory of its 
assets and liabilities, and shall turn over all properties, together with the 
inventory, to the Department and wind up their respective affairs within six (6) 
months after the effectivity of this Act. 
 
All programs, contracts, and projects of the Philippine Sports Commission, 
which are inconsistent with the policies and provisions of this Act, shall be 
terminated on or before six (6) months from the enactment of this Act. Contracts, 
programs, and projects which cannot be unilaterally terminated shall remain in 
full force and effect. The Department shall negotiate for the rescission of the 
contract or termination of the project or program for a period earlier than what 
has been previously agreed upon. The transfer of functions, assets, funds, 


equipment, properties, transactions, and personnel and formulation of the internal 
organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system, and revised budget of the 
Department, shall be completed within six (6) months from the effectivity of this 
Act, during which time, the existing personnel shall continue to assume their 
posts in holdover capacities until new appointments are issued; Provided, that 
after the abolition of the Philippine Sports Commission as specified in this 
Section 29, the Department, in coordination with the Department of Budget and 
Management, shall determine and create new positions, the funding requirements 
of which shall not exceed the equivalent cost of positions abolished. 
SECTION 34. Security of Tenure. In the implementation of this Act, there 
shall be no undue separation of personnel. In the event that the lay-off of 
personnel becomes unavoidable because of the abolition of their office or 
positions, mitigation measures shall be adopted such as redeployment of 
separated employees to other appropriate departments, agencies, or entities 
SECTION 35. Separation from Service. Employees separated from the 
service as a result of this reorganization shall, within ninety (90) days therefrom, 
receive the separation or retirement benefits to which they are entitled under the 
law. The separation pay or retirement benefits shall have priority of payment out 
of the savings of the agency. 
 
SECTION 36. Appropriation. In order to provide the necessary funds 
required for the organization and initial calendar year of operational expenditures 
of the Department, the amount of two hundred million pesos (P200,000.000.00) 
from the National Treasury is hereby appropriated. Thereafter, such amount 
necessary for the continued operation of the Department and the implementation 
of the country's integrated sports development program shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 37. National Sports Development Fund. To finance the 
country's integrated sports development program, the holding of the national 
games and all other sports competitions at all levels throughout the country, as 
well as to carry out well-planned preparations to sustain the complete needs of 
national and development athletes during the country's preparation and 
participation at international sports competitions, such as, but not limited to the 
Olympics, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, Paralympics, Universiade or 
World University Games and other international competitions sanctioned by 
international sports institutions, federations, organizations and associations, thirty 
percent (30%) of the charity fund representing the proceeds of six (6) lottery 
draws per annum of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices, taxes on horse 
races from ten (10) racing days to be determined by the Philippine Racing 
Commission and the Department, five percent (5%) of the gross income before 
taxes of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the proceeds from 
the sale of stamps as hereinafter provided shall be automatically remitted directly 


to the Department by the concerned entity and are hereby constituted as the 
National Sports Development Fund. 
 
Further, the Philippine Postal Corporation is hereby authorized to print 
paper and gold stamps which shall depict sporting events and such other motif as 
the Philippine Postal Service Office and the Department may agree at the expense 
of the Department.  
 
SECTION 38. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Sports shall issue the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 39. Annual Report. The Secretary of Sports shall submit to 
Congress an annual report generally dealing with the activities and operations of 
the Department, together with the audit report of the relevant accounts. 
 
SECTION  40. Separability Clause.  If any  provision  or  part  hereof  is  
held invalid  or unconstitutional,  the  remaining  provisions  not  otherwise  
affected  shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 41. Repealing Clause. All other laws, decrees, orders, rules, 
regulations, ordinances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION  42. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days upon its publication in at least two (2) general newspapers of national 
circulation. 
 
APPROVED.