Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS / 2 BEEP ER ol
First Regular Session | wa

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House Bill No. 2675\ ‘

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO INCLUDE TRADITIONAL GAMES AND SPORTS IN THE PHYSICAL
EDUCATION (P.E.) COURSES IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
AND SPORT ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Prior to the declaration of arnis as the national sport in 2009 by virtue of Republic
Act No. 9850, the country’s national sport was sipa. What is truly disheartening, though,
is that despite this change, our youth never knew the existence of the game of sipa
much more now, that arnis has taken its place as the official Philippine national sport.
Along with other traditional games and sports, these are now considered dying cultural
legacies due to advancements in technology, the advent of games of the new
information highway and the intrusion of western sports.

Filipino traditional games and sports have originated from different cultures,
some of which have pre-Hispanic origin. These games and sports reflect every aspect
of Filipino life and bring out our passion for play. We are proud to have inherited such
games from past generations which they have developed and handed down from
generation to generation. But such priceless ancestral heritage which includes sungka,
dama, and patintero, hangs in the balance and no longer stay popular with our youth
Due to such an attitude towards these traditional games and sports, some of them like
sipa, yoyo and amis, which are authentically Filipino, have been adopted by other
countries as their own


We must ensure that these games remain relevant as they provide our people
the opportunity to learn, appreciate and experience aspects of their own culture. They
also provide essential training in social interaction and help develop camaraderie,
sportsmanship and honesty. Encouraging their preservation will require a more
meaningful understanding our cultural values.

Provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandate the State to conserve,
promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources to
preserve them for future generations of Filipinos and ensure continuity of Filipino
identity and cultural belongingness. It is therefore imperative that a deeper appreciation
and understanding of our traditional games and sports is established in the minds of all
Filipinos especially the youth. And what better way to do this by making the study of
traditional games and sports a part and parcel of physical education courses in all levels
of educational institutions, both public and private.

In view of the proposed measure's importance, its early passage into law is
earnestly requested

DIOSDADO ji ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Se€ond District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 2675

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO INCLUDE TRADITIONAL GAMES AND SPORTS IN THE PHYSICAL
EDUCATION (P.E.) COURSES IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
AND SPORT ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Traditional Games
and Sports Act of 2013.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to foster patriotism, nationalism and sportsmanship by giving priority to sports program
that shall revive, promote and enhance the country's traditional games and sports.
Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to preserve and promote our cultural
heritage and national identity among the people, especially the youth, by including
traditional games and sports in the Physical Education (P.E.) courses in all levels of
educational institutions.

SECTION 3. Traditional Games and Sports. - The traditional games and sports
shall include the following: agawang sulok, araw-lim, amis, aso at pusa, bulong pari
bunong braso, dama, garter, hulaan, holen, iring-iring, istatwa, jack-en-poy, jackstone,
kapit-bakod, laglag panyo, lawin at sisiw, luksong baka, luksong lubid, luksong tinik,
palo sebo, patintero, piko, pitik-bulag, saranggolahan, sipa, siklot, siksik bulak, sungka,


suot lungga, taguan, takip-silim, tatsing, tumbang preso, turumpo, viola, yoyo and such
other traditional games played in the various localities in the country.

SECTION 4. Inclusion of Traditional Games and Sports in the Physical Education
(P.E.) Courses. — The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) are hereby directed to include the aforesaid traditional games
in the Physical Education course in all levels of educational institutions, both private and
public

SECTION 5. Traditional Games and Sports for School-Based Competitions. —
The DepEd and the CHED shall jointly determine which among the aforementioned
traditional games and sports shall be included in all school-based competitions.

SECTION 6. Local Government Units and Non-Government Organizations
(NGOs) and Private Sectors Participation in the Revival and Promotion of Traditional
Games and Sports. — The local government units in partnership with the non-
government organizations (NGOs) and the private sector shall undertake sports
activities throughout the country through sports competitions participated in by the
residents in their respective localities for the revival and promotion of traditional games
and sports.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty (30) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and the CHED shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree, executive order,
or issuance, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,