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Republic of the Philippines iS RECEIVED FA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [[—E DATE February6,.2023, (9

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 4
First Regular Session ©)

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HOUSE BILL NO. _7068

Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution provides that the State recognizes the vital role of the
youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being. (Sec. 13, Art. II) In the same vein, the State shall
promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and
amateur sports, including training for intemational competitions, to foster self-
discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert
citizenry. (Sec. 19, Art. XIV)

According to a study, children’s and adolescents’ active participation in sports
positively impacts their physical, physiological, and social development. First, physical
activity breaks unhealthy lifestyle and promotes energy expenditure.'. Second, sports
aids in the improvement of gross motor skills. It also encourages better academic
performance, decreased risk of heart disease and other diseases, and less incidence of
psychological dysfunction. The youth will also be less inclined to engage in high-risk
health related behaviors, such as cigarette smoking and illegal drug abuse.

For this reason, this bill seeks the institutionalization of sports varsity teams in
elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines. Student-athletes will be given
proper and supervised training. High quality sports equipment and facilities will be
readily available. Teacher-coaches will be properly compensated. Intra-school
cooperation and camaraderie will be promoted. Through a registry system, student-
athletes will also be given the opportunity to pursue a future in sports in the collegiate
level. More importantly, the talents and skills of the Filipino youth will be showcased.

A similar version of this commendable bill was first filed in the 17% Congress by
Rep. Alfred D. Vargas, among others, and the present proponent is acknowledging the
wisdom and hard work of his predecessors.

* Merkel, Donna. “Youth sport: postive and negative impact on young athletes”. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine,
2013; 4: 181-160. <hetps//eww eb nlm nih gov/ome/articles/PMC3B71410/>


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is sought.

sos e BERT F. VIOLAGO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7068

Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF SPORTS VARSITY
TEAMS IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND 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 "Basic Education Sports
Varsity Team Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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.

To this end, the State shall provide opportunities for optimal and long-term development
of Filipino athletes by expanding the base of student athletes, increasing the time and
frequency for their early exposure, training and competition through the
institutionalization of sports varsity teams in the basic education cycle.

SECTION 3. Institutionalization of Sports Varsity Teams in Basic Education. —To
ensure the optimal and long-term development of Filipino athletes, elementary and
secondary schools, both public and private, shall institutionalize sports varsity teams.

‘There shall at least be a varsity team for athletics for every school as athletics forms the
base for other sports. The school shall expand the number of sport events to cover
gradually according to the school’s after-school sports program, interests of students,
coaches, and the community.

Sports events that shall be considered in the establishment of varsity teams in elementary
and secondary levels shall include, but not limited to, the following:

a) Archery


b) Amis

©) Badminton
4) Baseball

¢) Basketball

£) Boxing

g) Chess

h) Football

i) Gymnastics
i) Sepak Takraw
k) Soft Ball

1) Swimming
m) Table Tennis
n) Taekwondo
0) Tennis

p) Volleyball

q) Billiards

1) Futsal

s) Wrestling

1) Wushu

u) Aerobics Gymnastics
v) Dance Sports
w) Pencak Silat
x) Basketball 3x3

‘The establishment of varsity teams in traditional and indigenous games, dances, and
sports shall also be encouraged.

SECTION 4. Organization of Sports Varsity Teams. — The organization of sports
varsity teams shall consider the following factors:

a) Presence of competent and committed teacher-coaches:
b) Availability of sufficient facilities and equipment;

©) Administrative and financial support; and

4) Support of the community.

SECTION 5. Identification of Athletes. — The Department of Education (DepEd) shall
provide a sports varsity selection and admission system.

AIL K-12 leamers who are officially enrolled in Elementary, Junior High School, Senior
High School, Open High School, and Alternative Leaming Systems, especially those
who participate in the after-school sports program (ASSP) and who can meet the
following requirements can join their school’s sports varsity teams:

a) Must have passed the physical fitness tests and skill tests;
b) With parental consent; and
©) In good academic standing.


SECTION 6. Selection and Deployment of Competent Coaches. ~ It shall be the
responsibility of the school administration to secure the services of competent coaches.
Teachers, including sports coordinator, trained in sports coaching are the priority in the
selection of coaches.

Former outstanding athletes from among the parents or community residents may be
tapped to serve as volunteer coaches in the sports where they excel and gained national
or international recognition. Likewise, students and graduates of the Sports Track in the
Senior High Schoo! (SHS) shall be tapped to provide assistance in the training of Sports
Varsity Teams.

‘The Sports Varsity Teams may also serve as a venue for the practicum and/or immersion
of students in the Sports Track.

SECTION 7. Recognition and Training of Coaches. — DepEd shall create a
mechanism to provide incentives and recognition to volunteer coaches.

The DepEd, in consultation with the Philippine Sports Commission, National Sports
Associations, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the private sector shall develop
programs to train varsity coaches to become certified trainers based on international
standards.

SECTION 8. Time and Frequency of Training. ~The implementing school has the
discretion to determine the time and frequency of training of the varsity teams, provided
that the trainings are conducted after the regular class hours and shall not interfere with
instructionally-relevant activities pursuant to engaging students in learning the lessons
of the curriculum,

SECTION 9. More Competition. — Aside for the calendar of regular sports
competitions conducted by the DepEd, private and public schools shall organize varsity
match with neighboring schools. A league may be composed of public and private
schools.

Furthermore, elementary and secondary school may partner with existing stadiums and
sports centers in the community to host varsity matches.

SECTION 10. Equipment for Sports Varsity. — It shall be the responsibility of the
school administration to secure the equipment necessary to sustain the training of sports
varsity teams. Such equipment may be sourced from regular budget and extra-budgetary
‘means such as donations from the community.

‘The DepE<, in consultation with the Philippine Sports Commission, shall be responsible
for maintaining a databank of standard facilities and equipment, their technical
specifications, suppliers, and indicative prices for every sport covered in international
competitions.

SECTION 11. Performance Profiling of Student Athletes, ~ There shall be a school-
based profiling of student-athletes. In case of a student athlete’s transfer to another


school, it is the responsibility of the former coaches to transmit the student's athletic
profile to the new school to ensure proper recognition and continuous training and
development. The student athlete’s profile shall show results of previous competitions
and improvements in clocking in the case of measurable sports.

All elementary and secondary schools shall register and update their student athlete’s
profile from time to time.

SECTION 12. Registry of Student Athletes. ~ The DepEd shall maintain a registry of
student athletes and shall make this accessible to colleges and universities, Philippine
Sports Commission, and other private sports groups and organizations and shall be used
solely for identification of potential inclusion to varsity teams in college and
universities, or in the case of the Philippine Sports Commission, selection of national
athletes who can represent the Philippines in international sporting events.

SECTION 13. Incentives. - Recognitions and incentives shall be awarded to school
coaches and school heads for their support to the organization and registration of their
school varsity teams.

Teachers-coaches shall be given service credits and/or additional compensation or
overtime pay for work performed in excess of eight (8) hours in accordance with the
Jaw.

SECTION 14. Appropriations. — ‘The amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be included in the Department of Education’s budget
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~The Secretary of Education
and the Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission, upon consultation with
relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations needed for the
implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. ~ Alll laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,