Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by 
competing according to the rules.” 
2 Timothy 2:5 
Sports is a cross-cutting vehicle that will contribute to achieving national development and a 
healthy society. It is essential for the development of our youth and future generations. Sports 
brings together quality interactions among people, and serves as a healthy outlet to release 
tension and stress. It is also an important avenue for academic advancement and an 
opportunity for social mobility. The strategic role of sports in the achievement of sports 
development goals and national growth cannot be overstated. Thus, a dedicated agency must 
be proactive in exhausting every opportunity to diversify and develop the economy while 
strengthening the communities. 
The growth and future development of sports requires innovative and creative thinking. It 
requires bold and fearless leadership and a willingness to go beyond the status quo. The 
opportunities and potentials seem limitless. Hence, there is a need for people with strong spirit 
and great love for sports who could provide the greatest natural assets to direct relevant and 
applicable sports evolution.  
Through the years, sports has evolved into a pathway for a better quality of life, a source of 
honor and national pride, an inspiration to face up to the challenges of the modern world and 
a popular form of entertainment. It is not merely a spectator’s pastime, it becomes a primary 
influencer in society as a driver for physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. There is a reason 
why Article XIV, Section 19 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.” 
At present, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), established in 1990 through Republic 
Act No. 6847, is the sole policy-making and coordinating body of all amateur sports 
development programs and institutions in the Philippines. It is mandated to, among others, 
“provide the leadership, formulate the policies and set the priorities and direction of all national 
amateur sports promotion and development, particularly giving emphasis on grassroots 
participation.” However, its focus on grassroots participation may not fully address the needs 
of elite athletes to compete at the highest levels of sports competitions. 
Sports development, however, is an intricate process that begins with early talent education 
through grassroots programs on a nationwide basis, harnessing the resources of the 
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Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of the Interior and Local Government. 
Then, athletes are brought to a stage to display their potential through Batang Pinoy for 15 
years old and below, Palarong Pambansa for high school students and the Philippine National 
Games to ferret out elite performers.  
In Taguig City, we value and enrich every Taguigeños’ sports inclinations by conducting 
tournaments and sports camps for basketball, volleyball, football, baseball, badminton, among 
others. Concretely, the Taguig Sports Training and Enhancement Program is crafted based 
on the Special Program for Sports (SPS) in the Philippines, a DepEd initiative designed to 
foster a career path for learners with interest and talent in sports. This program provides 
structured training and support to develop athletes and sports professionals. And through this 
measure, we wish to replicate our humble beginnings by espousing for a sports-focused 
department. 
This measure will address the perennial challenges that hinder the growth of Philippine sports 
through the creation of a Department of Sports, a cabinet-level agency that will provide 
focused leadership for national sports promotion and development, and address the needs of 
athletes, coaches, trainers, and sports officials across all levels. The proposed department will 
spearhead the formulation and implementation of the “National Sports Development Agenda” 
focusing on grassroots and elite sports, sports science and education, sports infrastructure, 
coaching and human resource development, public-private sector partnership and sports for 
all. Further, the bill seeks to provide incentives to the private sector, particularly exempting 
them from payment of customs duties, taxes, and tariffs for their donations, contributions, 
bequests, and grants of any imported sports equipment, instruments and capital equipment 
that are not locally available.  
Hence, the approval of this Bill is earnestly requested. 
JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 
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 2025.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State: 
(a) To recognize the role of citizens, especially the youth, in nation-building, promote and
ensure equal access to sports and other physical recreational activities regardless of
sex, gender, race, or socioeconomic status, and protect and preserve desirable social,
cultural, moral, and spiritual values in a changing world.
(b) To promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions,
and amateur sports at the grassroots level to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and the
development of a healthy and alert citizenry;
(c) To institute a focused and comprehensive program for the training of national athletes
for international competitions, with the goal of achieving excellence on the world stage,
thereby inspiring patriotism and fostering national pride;
(d) To recognize the importance of promoting excellence in sports to foster patriotism,
nationalism, gallantry, accelerate social progress, and contribute to total human
development;
(e) To insulate the national sports development program from partisan politics, ensuring
that programs are implemented based on merit and not used as instruments for
political patronage or personal aggrandizement of any public official;
(f) To ensure that the delivery of services, funding, and support to athletes, coaches, and
sports organizations is efficient, timely, and free from unnecessary bureaucratic red
tape;
(g) To create the infrastructure and promote capacity building for broad-based sports and
to achieve excellence in various competitive events at the national and international
levels.
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Sec. 3. Creation of the Department of Sports. — There is hereby created the 
Department of Sports, hereinafter referred to as the “Department”, which shall carry out the 
above-declared policy and assume the promotion and development of sports and physical 
fitness in the country. 
 
Sec. 4. Mandate. — The Department shall be the primary policy, planning, 
coordinating, implementing, regulating, and administrative entity of the executive branch of 
the Government that will formulate, promote, and develop the national sports development 
agenda for the country. 
 
Sec. 5. Powers and Functions. — To carry out its mandate, the Department shall: 
  
(a) Formulate, adopt, and implement a comprehensive national sports development 
plan, as well as other policies, programs, and guidelines that will promote the 
development and harness the potential of all Filipino athletes, coaches, and trainers, 
with due consideration to their welfare and potential for success as national athletes 
competing locally and internationally; 
 
(b) Plan, implement, and oversee an integrated sports promotion and development 
program for the country, in coordination with the various sectors involved in sports, 
including but not limited to the national sports association, sports organization, and 
private stakeholders; 
 
(c) Oversee and support the participation of athletes in domestic and international sports 
competitions; 
 
(d) Establish and maintain linkages with international sports federations, national sports 
organizations of other countries, and international non-governmental organizations; 
 
(e) Establish, develop, and maintain world-class, fully-equipped sports facilities and 
centers in strategic places in the country and, as far as practicable, include modern 
sports complexes adequate for hosting major international competitions; 
 
(f) Acquire, use, and control any land, buildings, facilities, equipment, instruments, tolls, 
and rights required or otherwise necessary for the accomplishment of the objective 
of the department; 
 
(g) Supervise and improve the standard of sports coaches and coaching staff; 
 
(h) Ensure a sustainable funding mechanism for the implementation of sports policies, 
plans, programs, projects, and other activities. 
 
 
In recognition of the autonomy of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as the 
representative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the respective National 
Sports Associations (NSAs), the authority to select the athletes and coaches who will form 
the official national team for IOC-sanctioned competitions such as the Olympic Games, 
Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games, shall remain the prerogative of the relevant 
NSAs as recognized by the POC. 
 
Sec. 6. The National Sports Development Agenda. – The Department shall 
formulate and implement a unified National Sports Development Agenda, which shall serve 
as the blueprint for the country’s short, medium, and long-term sports development. The 
Agenda shall be comprehensive, athlete-centered, and inclusive. It shall have, at a minimum, 
the following mandatory components: 


 
(a) Grassroots Sports Promotion – Programs to ensure broad-based public 
involvement in sports and physical recreational activities, especially among the 
youth; 
 
(b) Elite Sports Development – A focused program for the identification, training, 
and comprehensive support of national athletes and teams for success in 
international competitions, including but not limited to the Olympic Games, 
Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games; 
 
(c) Sports Science and Education – Integration of modern sports science, 
medicine, nutrition, and technology into athlete training and development 
programs; 
 
(d) Sports Infrastructure – A master plan for the development, maintenance, and 
modernization of sports facilities across the country, ensuring they meet 
national and international standards; 
 
(e) Coaching and Human Resource Development – Programs for the 
continuous education, certification, and professionalization of coaches, 
trainers, and sports officials; 
 
(f) Public-Private Sector Partnership – A framework to encourage and manage 
collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to 
generate resources and support for sports; 
 
(g) Sports for All – Programs that ensure equal access for persons with 
disabilities, indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities. 
 
Sec. 7. Organization. —  
 
A. Secretary — The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate 
of the Department and for the discharge of its powers and functions shall be 
vested in the Secretary of Sports, who shall be appointed by the President of 
the Republic of the Philippines. The Secretary shall have the following 
functions: 
 
(1) Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations 
of the Department and its attached agencies; 
 
(2) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient, and 
economical operation of the Department, in accordance with the 
programs of government; 
 
(3) Review and approve requests for financial and manpower resources 
of all operating offices of the Department; 
 
(4) Designate and appoint officers and employees of the Department, 
excluding undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, regional executive 
directors, and assistant regional directors, in accordance with all 
relevant civil service rules; 
 
(5) 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 investigations; 


 
(6) Coordinate with other agencies, as well as public and private interest 
groups, 
including 
non-government 
organizations, 
on 
the 
Department’s policies and initiatives; 
 
(7) Prepare and submit to the President through the Department of 
Budget and Management an estimate of the necessary expenditures 
of the Department during the next fiscal year, on the basis of the 
reports submitted by the bureaus and offices under his/her 
jurisdiction; 
 
(8) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and 
administrative orders, and formulation of regulatory and legislative 
proposals on matters pertaining to sports programs; 
 
(9) Formulate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers 
as may be required to implement the objectives of this Act; and 
 
(10) 
Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law or 
assigned by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. 
 
B. Undersecretaries. — There shall be five (5) undersecretaries who shall be 
appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon the 
recommendation of the Secretary and the Career Service Executive Board, 
which shall consist of the following positions: 
(a) Undersecretary for Administration and Finance; 
(b) Undersecretary for Legal Affairs; 
(c) Undersecretary for Policy and Planning;  
(d) Undersecretary for Operations; and 
(e) Undersecretary for Public Information and Domestic and International 
Relations. 
  
C. Assistant Secretaries. — Each Undersecretary shall be assisted by at least 
one (1) Assistant Secretary who shall be appointed by the President of the 
Republic of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary. Each 
Assistant Secretary shall be assigned to head a key service, bureau, or 
functional cluster of the Department, and shall perform such other duties and 
functions as may be provided by law or delegated by the Secretary. 
 
D. Regional Executive Directors. — There shall be a Regional Executive 
Director in each region who shall be responsible for efficiently and effectively 
carrying out the duties and responsibilities of his office. 
  
E. Structure and Staffing Pattern. — The organizational framework and 
staffing pattern of the Department shall be prescribed and approved by the 
Secretary within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, and the 
authorized position created therein shall be approved by the Department of 
Budget and Management, which shall be filled through the job opportunity 
list of the Civil Service Commission Omnibus Rules on Appointments and 
Other Human Resource Actions. 
 
Sec. 8. 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 possesses at least ten (10) years 


of proven experience and recognized competence in sports administration, sports 
management, physical education, or a related field. 
 
Sec. 9. Reorganization of Relevant Agencies. — The Philippine Sports Commission 
is hereby abolished, and its powers and functions, applicable funds and appropriations, 
records, equipment, property, and personnel are transferred to the Department. 
 
The Games and Amusement Board and the National Academy of Sports shall retain 
their powers and functions but be attached to the Department, which shall have overall 
supervision over them. 
 
Sec. 10. Incentives for Private Sector Support. — (a) All donations, contributions, 
bequests, and grants to the Department shall be exempt from donor's tax and shall be 
considered as allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor for purposes of 
computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National 
Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
 
(b) The importation of sports equipment, instruments, and capital equipment shall be 
exempt from customs duties, taxes, and tariffs: Provided, That such sports equipment, 
instruments, and capital equipment are not available locally in the same quality and for the 
same price. 
 
(c) The Department may, in recognition of significant contributions, authorize the 
naming of sports facilities, programs, or events after a donor or any person of their choosing, 
subject to the rules and regulations which shall be promulgated by the Secretary. Such 
recognition shall be granted in a manner that upholds the public interest and the integrity of 
the national sports program. 
 
(d) All delegations or representatives to any international competition, conventions, 
meetings, and events shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax, airport tax, and other 
related taxes or fees now or hereafter imposed by laws or regulations. 
 
Sec. 11. Sports Facilities. — The administration, supervision, and full control of all 
existing sports facilities, including land, buildings, and equipment, owned by the national 
government as well as those owned by a government-funded foundation, organization, 
association, and entity shall be transferred to the Department. 
 
Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the Department shall conduct a 
comprehensive inventory and assessment of all sports facilities, land, and properties 
transferred to it. This assessment shall determine their current physical condition, operational 
status, and potential for modernization or redevelopment. The findings shall be used as the 
basis for the formulation of a National Sports Infrastructure Master Plan, which shall guide 
future investments and ensure the optimal use of government assets for sports development. 
 
Sec. 12. Reportorial Requirements. — The Department together with the Attached 
Agencies shall, within ninety (90) days after the end of every fiscal year, submit to the 
Congress an annual report on the status of the implementation of this Act including but not 
limited to the organization and its operation, application, administration, execution, the 
effectiveness of its programs, and public expenditures as may be determined by the 
Congressional Oversight Committee.  
 
The annual report should also include the Department’s accomplishments under this 
Act, together with its plans and recommendations to improve and develop its capability to 
enforce its provisions, and a complete accounting of transactions with respect to any funds 
received under this Act. 


Sec. 13. Appropriations. — The amount needed for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be taken from the current year’s appropriations of the PSC by virtue of this Act. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
Sec. 14. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act or the application of such 
provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the remainder of this 
Act or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected 
thereby. 
 
Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. — The provisions of any law, whether general or special, 
rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 16. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, 
whichever comes earlier. 
  
 
Approved,