Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC 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
February 17, 2022
10:29 pm
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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 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. 
ERIC OLIVAREZ 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ 
1 
“AN ACT DECLARING A NATIONAL POLICY FOR SPORTS AS AN 
2 
ENGINE FOR NATION-BUILDING, SOCIAL PROGRESS, AND 
3 
PROMOTION OF TOTAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, AND  
4 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFINING ITS 
5 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
6 
THEREFOR” 
7 
Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
8 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
9 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Department of 
10 
Sports Act of 2022.” 
11 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is mandated by the 1987 Constitution 
12 
that the State shall prioritize sports in order to foster patriotism, nationalism, accelerate 
13 
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.1 In addition to 
14 
this, the State is also mandated to promote and encourage sports programs, league 
15 
competitions, amateur sports, and provide training for international competitions in 
16 
order to nurture self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a 
17 
healthy and alert citizenry.2 Hence, the government shall exert all efforts to produce 
18 
initiatives that would encourage citizens to participate in the different divisions of sports 
19 
in order to build a motivated and harmonious society.  
20 
21 
1 Philippines. 1987 Constitution. Art. 11, Sec. 17.
2 Philippines. 1987 Constitution. Art. 11, Sec. 19(1). 
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SECTION 3. Objectives.  
1 
a) Establish a single, unified, and integrated national sports body to take 
2 
the lead in developing Filipino athletes to their fullest potential and put 
3 
Philippine sports into its utmost performance; 
4 
b) Prepare, formulate, implement, and oversee an integrated and 
5 
comprehensive nationwide sports promotion and development program 
6 
in consultation with the stakeholders as well as other government 
7 
agencies, non-governmental organizations, associations, and groups 
8 
involved in sports; 
9 
c) Promote a nationwide grassroots-based sports development program 
10 
and strengthen the sports club system; 
11 
d) Encourage the participation of Filipino athletes in regional and 
12 
international sports competitions including, but not limited to, the South 
13 
East Asian Games, the Olympics, the Paralympics, the Universiade or 
14 
World University Games as well as international, regional, and world 
15 
competitions staged by other reputable international sports associations, 
16 
federations and organizations; 
17 
e) Promote leadership in the development of sports in the country, 
18 
formulate policies, and set the priorities and direction of all national 
19 
amateur sports promotion and development; 
20 
f) Encourage wider participation of all sectors, government and private, in 
21 
amateur sports promotion and development; 
22 
g) Improve the performance of Filipino athletes in regional and international 
23 
sports competitions and develop athletes to become a source of national 
24 
pride; 
25 
h) Provide resources, services, and facilities to enable Filipinos to pursue 
26 
and achieve excellence in sports;  
27 
i) Ensure equal access to physical education and sports which are 
28 
essential for the full development of a person’s personality;  
29 
j) To promote excellence in sports, and through sports, by providing for the 
30 
welfare of national athletes, coaches, and trainers competing for their 
31 
country.  
32 
k) Foster peace and camaraderie within the country through competitive 
33 
and recreational sports; 
34 
l) Motivate educational institutions to offer athletic programs to their 
35 
students as well as provide support for them; 
36 
m) Provide guidelines and protection for athletes when it comes to wrongful 
37 
treatment from their teammates, coaches, or other people of authority; 
38 
and 
39 
n) Encourage parents of aspiring and current athletes to support their 
40 
children in their journey of engaging in sports. 
41 


CHAPTER II  
1 
DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS 
2 
 
3 
SECTION 4. Mandate. - The Department of Sports, hereinafter referred to as 
4 
“the Department,” is hereby established to carry out the above-declared objectives. It 
5 
shall be the primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating, implementing, and 
6 
regulating agency in the promotion and development of sports and physical fitness in 
7 
the country. Moreover, it shall instill in the Filipino the industry’s fundamental 
8 
importance in nation-building and social progress; and in fostering peace and 
9 
camaraderie.  
10 
 
11 
SECTION 5. Duties and Functions. -  The Department shall exercise the 
12 
following duties and functions: 
13 
a) Prepare, fully implement and oversee an Integrated Sports Promotion 
14 
and Development Program (ISPDP) consistent with the policies declared 
15 
in Section 3 hereof, in coordination with various sectors involved in 
16 
sports, such as the Philippine Olympic Committee, the national sports 
17 
associations, the public and private schools, government corporations 
18 
and entities, the local government units, the Armed Forces of the 
19 
Philippines, and other sports organizations and private corporations; 
20 
b) Establish and maintain linkages with international sports associations, 
21 
national sports organizations of other countries and international non-
22 
governmental organizations whose common main objective is sports; 
23 
c) Establish, develop, and maintain fully-equipped sports facilities and 
24 
centers in strategic places around the country and, as far as practicable, 
25 
include modern sports complexes adequate for hosting major 
26 
international competitions; 
27 
d) Rationalize and regulate the establishment of publicly funded sports 
28 
complexes and supervise the management and maintenance thereof, 
29 
excluding those owned by educational institutions; 
30 
e) Plan and formulate programs, and review and evaluate the 
31 
organizational set-up, projects, and programs of the Department; 
32 
f) Delineate and define the areas of responsibilities of all sectors involved 
33 
in the promotion and development of sports, respecting the individual 
34 
set-up, priorities, structure, and competence of the different government 
35 
and private institutions;  
36 
g) Assist the proper government agency in the formulation of an industry 
37 
incentives program for the manufacture of sports equipment and 
38 
supplies of international standard quality in the Philippines;  
39 
h) Provide such incentives, recognitions, and awards to deserving 
40 
associations, athletes, game officials, coaches, trainers, and other 
41 
persons or entities involved in or supporting sports development; 
42 


i) Recommend and propose to the Department of Education (DepEd), 
1 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other 
2 
government agencies and instrumentalities, which conduct sports 
3 
programs, to incorporate in their respective annual budget a separate 
4 
and specific budget for sports promotion and development; 
5 
j) Encourage, promote and sustain the creation and establishment of 
6 
regional, provincial, municipal and barangay or school district sports 
7 
promotion and development councils, composed of officials of the 
8 
DepEd, DILG, local government units (LGUs) and representatives of the 
9 
private sector, which shall initiate, conduct and coordinate sports 
10 
activities in their respective jurisdictions;  
11 
k) Exercise such other acts as are incident to or are appropriate and 
12 
necessary in connection with the creation of the Department. 
13 
 
SECTION 6. Powers of the Department. - The Department shall exercise the 
14 
following powers to do all acts and things necessary to be done in connection with the 
15 
performance of its functions: 
16 
a) Appoint the officers and other personnel of the Department and fix their 
17 
compensation subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations; 
18 
b) Delegate authority for the performance of any function to officers and 
19 
employees under its direction; 
20 
c) Enter into contracts; 
21 
d) Acquire, use and control any land, building, facilities, equipment, 
22 
instruments, tools, and rights required or otherwise necessary for the 
23 
accomplishment of the purposes of the Department; 
24 
e) Acquire, own, possess, and dispose of any real or personal property; 
25 
f) Regulate the acquisition, procurement, distribution, and use of 
26 
sportswear, equipment, instruments, tools, and other sports essentials 
27 
necessary and required for training of a national pool of athletes; 
28 
g) Confer, extend, and grant awards, benefits, and privileges to athletes 
29 
and officials for outstanding performances in national and international 
30 
competitions; 
31 
h) Confer, extend and grant support or assistance to sports associations 
32 
that are in good standing with the Department; 
33 
i) Exercise supervisory and visitorial powers over the national sports 
34 
associations in connection with their sports promotion and development 
35 
programs with respect to which financial assistance is extended by the 
36 
Department;  
37 


j) Accept donations, gifts, bequests, and grants for the purposes of the 
1 
Department; 
2 
k) Ensure the implementation by various government departments and 
3 
agencies of their sports promotion and development programs as 
4 
indicated in their respective annual budgets; 
5 
l) Impose sanctions upon any national sports association, institution, 
6 
organization, body, entity, team, athletes, and sports official for violation 
7 
of its policies, rules, and regulations;  
8 
m) Solve disputes that involve sports, competitions, people of authority, and 
9 
athletes; and  
10 
n) Perform any and all other acts incidental to or required by virtue of its 
11 
creation. 
12 
SECTION 7. Composition of the Department. The Department shall be 
13 
composed of a Secretary of Sports who shall be appointed by the President, subject 
14 
to the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, three (3) Undersecretaries, 
15 
and three (3) Assistant Secretaries who shall also be appointed by the President upon 
16 
the recommendation of the Secretary.  
17 
 
SECTION 8. Qualifications of the Secretary, Undersecretary, and the 
18 
Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary, Undersecretary, and Assistant Secretaries 
19 
must be Filipino Citizens, at least Thirty-Five (35) years of age, must have been a 
20 
former athlete representing the Philippines in any sporting event, and of proven good 
21 
moral character and probity.  
22 
 
23 
SECTION 9. Compensation. - The Secretary, Undersecretaries and Assistant 
24 
Secretaries shall be entitled to compensation and to other benefits and privileges 
25 
provided under existing laws.  
26 
 
27 
SECTION 10. Secretary. - The authority and responsibility for the discharge of 
28 
its power and functions shall be vested in the Secretary who shall have supervision 
29 
and control of the Department. 
30 
 
31 
SECTION 11. Duties of the Secretary. -  The Secretary shall perform the 
32 
following duties: 
33 


a) Exercise over-all supervision and direction over the entire operations of 
1 
the Department and its attached agencies; 
2 
b) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient and 
3 
economical operation of the Department in accordance with the 
4 
programs of the government; 
5 
c) Review and approve requests for financial and manpower resources of 
6 
all operating offices of the Department; 
7 
d) Designate and appoint officers and employees of the Department in 
8 
accordance with the civil service laws, rules and regulations; 
9 
e) Advice the President on the promulgation of executive and 
10 
administrative orders, regulatory and legislative proposals on matters 
11 
pertaining to the promotion and development of sports and physical 
12 
fitness in the country; 
13 
f) Implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and regulations 
14 
issued by the Department; 
15 
g) Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of assets and 
16 
deliver documents on behalf of the Department; 
17 
h) Approve the organizational structure, staffing pattern, operating and 
18 
capital expenditures of the Department; and 
19 
i) Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other duties 
20 
as may be authorized, delegated, or assigned. 
21 
SECTION 12. Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. - The Secretary 
22 
shall be assisted by three (3) Undersecretaries and three (3) Assistant Secretaries all 
23 
of whom shall be appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by duly 
24 
recognized sports associations and organizations in the Philippines.  
25 
SECTION 13. Regional Offices. - The Department shall establish, operate and 
26 
maintain a regional office in each administrative region of the country. The regional 
27 
office shall be headed by a regional director and assisted by an assistant regional 
28 
director. The regional offices shall, within their respective administrative regions, 
29 
exercise the following functions: 
30 
a) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and 
31 
regulations of the Department; 
32 


b) Provide efficient and effective service to the people; 
1 
c) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices, and 
2 
agencies; 
3 
d) Coordinate with the local government units; and 
4 
e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law. 
5 
SECTION 14. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Secretary shall determine 
6 
the organizational structure and create new divisions or units as may be deemed 
7 
necessary and shall appoint officers and employees of the Department in accordance 
8 
with the civil service rules and regulations.  
9 
SECTION 15. Secretariat. - The Department shall create a secretariat which 
10 
shall be primarily responsible for the financial management, personnel records, 
11 
supplies and equipment, public information and production, transportation, 
12 
communication, legal, policy research and planning, and such other functions and 
13 
responsibilities as may be necessary and required by the Department.  
14 
SECTION 16. Special Bureaus. - To ensure the proper and efficient 
15 
implementation of this Act, the following special bureaus under the Department are 
16 
hereby created: 
17 
a) Amateur Sports Development Bureau;  
18 
b) National and Local Sports Development Bureau; and  
19 
c) Professional and International Sports Development Bureau  
20 
SECTION 17. Amateur Sports Development Bureau (ASDB). - The Amateur 
21 
Sports Development Bureau shall be headed by an executive director and shall be 
22 
primarily responsible for the promotion and development of  amateur sports in the 
23 
Philippines 
24 
The ASDBB shall exercise the following functions: 
25 
a) Plan, implement and oversee an integrated nationwide amateur sports 
26 
promotion and development program for the country in coordination with 
27 
various entities, the LGUs, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and such 
28 
other sectors in the sports industry; 
29 
b) Formulate and implement a physical fitness testing and evaluation 
30 
program to determine, monitor and establish a fitness profile of the 
31 
different sectors of society, and a grassroots development program in 
32 
order to encourage, improve and enhance physical fitness and 
33 
participation in sports of the citizens at the city, municipality and 
34 
barangay level;  
35 


c) Develop and implement, in coordination with the Department of 
1 
Education, a physical fitness education curriculum in the basic education 
2 
system that will foster and promote participation in sports;  
3 
d) Plan and conduct regular informal sports competitions at the national 
4 
and local levels; 
5 
e) Create fundraisers in the form of sports competitions in coordination with 
6 
the LGUs and business corporations;  
7 
f) Encourage and promote the creation and establishment of regional, 
8 
provincial, municipal, and barangay sports promotion and development 
9 
councils which shall initiate, conduct, and coordinate sports activities in 
10 
their respective jurisdiction; 
11 
g) Provide the leadership and set the priorities and direction of all national 
12 
amateur sports promotion and development, giving emphasis on 
13 
grassroots participation; 
14 
h) Encourage wide participation of all sectors, government and private, in 
15 
amateur sports promotion and development; 
16 
i) Promote social and cultural integration through the revival of indigenous 
17 
games and sports; 
18 
j) Identify and nurture sports talents for further development and promote 
19 
excellence in sports, traditional games, and other physical activities; 
20 
k) Recommend the formulation of policies and programs that will foster the 
21 
development of amateur sports, especially at the grassroots level; 
22 
l) Impose sanction upon any national sports association, institution, 
23 
organization, body, entity, team, athlete, and sports officials engaged in 
24 
amateur sports for violation of its policies, rules, and regulations; 
25 
m) Ensure the implementation by various government departments and 
26 
agencies of their sports promotion and development programs as 
27 
indicated in their respective annual budgets;  
28 
n) Aid athletes who would like to participate in sports at a higher level by 
29 
coordinating with the National and Local Sports Development Bureau; 
30 
and  
31 
o) Perform acts that are necessary or incidental to the proper exercise of 
32 
its functions. 
33 
SECTION 18. National and Local Sports Development Bureau;- The 
34 
National and Local Sports Development Bureau shall be headed by an executive 
35 
director and shall be primarily responsible for the promotion and development of 
36 
national and local sports in the Philippines.  
37 


The NLSDB shall also have the following functions: 
1 
a) Plan, implement and oversee an integrated nationwide national and local 
2 
sports promotion and development program for the country in 
3 
coordination with the different national sports associations such as the 
4 
Philippines National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), University 
5 
Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), as well as other national 
6 
sports leagues associations; 
7 
b) Work hand-in-hand with educational institutions offering sports for their 
8 
students in the middle school, high school, senior high school, and 
9 
collegiate level; 
10 
c) Create and establish a board of directors that shall initiate, conduct, and 
11 
coordinate sports activities in their respective leagues and associations; 
12 
d) Identify and nurture sports talents for further development and promote 
13 
excellence in sports, traditional games, and other physical activities; 
14 
e) Impose sanction upon any national sports association, institution, 
15 
organization, body, entity, team, athlete, and sports officials engaged in 
16 
amateur sports for violation of its policies, rules, and regulations; 
17 
f) Establish and implement a system for identifying and developing athletic 
18 
talents  for inclusion in the professional athlete’s pool;  
19 
g) Perform acts that are necessary or incidental to the proper exercise of 
20 
its functions. 
21 
 
22 
SECTION 19. Professional and International Sports Development Bureau. 
23 
The Professional and International Sports Development Bureau to be headed by an 
24 
executive director shall have the following functions: 
25 
a) Formulate and recommend the adoption of a national training and 
26 
development program for athletes participating in international 
27 
competitions in all relevant sports, in coordination and cooperation with 
28 
the concerned national sports association; 
29 
b) Plan, implement and administer all aspects to ensure successful 
30 
participation of the country in regional and international sporting events, 
31 
games and competition; and  
32 
c) Ensure the availability of adequate budget and resources for said 
33 
purposes. 
34 
SECTION 20. Divisions under the International Sports Development 
35 
Bureau. There shall be established two divisions under the International Sports 
36 
Development Bureau, as follows: 
37 
a) Professional Sports Division; and  
38 


b) International Sports Competition Division. 
1 
SECTION 21. Professional Sports Division. - The Professional Sports 
2 
Division shall have the following functions: 
3 
a) Process, facilitate, and oversee agreements and transactions conducted 
4 
between and among the Department, national sports associations, and 
5 
other 
local 
and 
international 
sports 
institutions, 
federations, 
6 
associations, and organizations to ensure their compliance with the 
7 
policies and programs of the Department; 
8 
b) Facilitate all necessary arrangements for the athletes playing on a 
9 
national professional level; 
10 
c) Facilitate all necessary arrangements for the participation of national 
11 
professional athletes who are eligible to enter international competitions; 
12 
d) Develop, prescribe and ensure the observance of criteria and standards 
13 
for professional athletes and sports teams representing the country in 
14 
international competitions; 
15 
e) Prescribe the criteria for selecting individuals, associations, or clubs 
16 
entitled to financial and other forms of support to enable their 
17 
participation 
in 
international 
conferences, 
seminars, 
clinics, 
18 
competitions, and similar programs; and 
19 
f) Establish appropriate linkages with international sports bodies. 
20 
SECTION 22. International Sports Competition Division. The International 
21 
Sports Competition Division shall have the following functions: 
22 
a) Coordinate with the national sports associations and the Philippine 
23 
Olympic Committee for the preparation and training of the members of 
24 
the national athlete's pool; 
25 
b) Develop, prescribe and monitor the implementation of criteria for the 
26 
selection and retention of members of the national athletes' pool 
27 
supported by the Department; 
28 
c) Coordinate with the national sports association in monitoring and 
29 
conducting periodic evaluation of members of the national athletes' pool; 
30 
d) Assist the national sports associations in the selection of national team 
31 
members for international competition; and 
32 
e) Identify and recommend athletes, coaches, and international sports 
33 
participants who may qualify for awards and incentives. 
34 


CHAPTER III  
1 
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE 
2 
SECTION 23. Philippine Olympic Committee. - The Philippine Olympic 
3 
Committee which is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee shall continue 
4 
to be recognized as the National Olympic Committee for the Philippines. It is 
5 
autonomous in character. 
6 
The Philippine Olympic Committee shall maintain its primary responsibilities for 
7 
activities pertaining to the country's participation in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, 
8 
Southeast Asian Games, and other international athletic competitions in accordance 
9 
respectively with the rules and regulations of the International Olympic Committee, the 
10 
Olympic Council of Asia, the Southeast Asian Games Federation and other 
11 
international sports bodies. 
12 
SECTION 24. Functions. -  The Philippine Olympic Committee shall have the 
13 
following powers and functions: 
14 
a) Be responsible for the representation of the Philippines in all international 
15 
sports competitions and undertake the organization of these games when held 
16 
in the Philippines; 
17 
b) Arrange the transportation and housing of the national delegation in the 
18 
Olympic Games, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, and other events held 
19 
under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee and Olympic 
20 
Council of Asia; 
21 
c) Be responsible for the behavior of the members of the Philippine delegation in 
22 
all games and events; 
23 
d) Prescribe and determine, in consultation with the respective national sports 
24 
association, the clothing and uniforms to be worn by the members of the 
25 
Philippine delegation in all international sports competitions in accordance with 
26 
what is prescribed by their respective sports; 
27 
e) Strive against deviation from sporting principles, particularly against all forms 
28 
of doping under the World Anti-doping Code; 
29 
f) Exercise the exclusive right to use the Olympic symbol, flag, motto, and anthem 
30 
within the framework of its non-profit activities: Provided, That such use 
31 
contributes to the development of the Olympic movement and does not detract 
32 
from its dignity; 
33 
g) Coordinate closely with relevant international organizations recognized by the 
34 
International Olympic Committee, particularly the Olympic Council of Asia and 
35 
the Southeast Asian Games Federation; 
36 
h) Participate in the activities of the International Olympic Committee's Olympic 
37 
solidarity; 
38 


i) Act as the final arbitrator of all intra-national sport associations conflicts and 
1 
disputes, as well as, cases arising from or in connection with the Olympic 
2 
Games or any form of doping offenses in case the same disputes cannot be 
3 
settled or resolved with the national sports associations processes and 
4 
procedures; and 
5 
j) Perform such other acts as may be deemed necessary for the proper 
6 
accomplishment of their purposes. 
7 
CHAPTER IV 
8 
NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS 
9 
SECTION 25. National Sports Associations. The national sports associations 
10 
organized for their respective sports in the Philippines and affiliated with their 
11 
respective international federations which are recognized by the International Olympic 
12 
Committee shall be recognized as such by the Department. The Department shall also 
13 
recognize special national sports associations to represent the differently-abled and 
14 
school-based sports associations which shall, for all intent and purposes, have the 
15 
same status, privileges, and obligations as regular national sports associations. The 
16 
national sports associations recognized by the Department shall be autonomous and 
17 
shall have exclusive technical control over the promotion and development of the 
18 
particular sport for which they are organized, subject however to the supervisory 
19 
powers of the Department. Each national sports association shall, by its constitution 
20 
and by-laws, determine its organization and membership: Provided, That no team, 
21 
school, club, organization, or entity shall be admitted as a voting member of a national 
22 
sports association unless sixty percent (60%) of the athletes composing said team, 
23 
school, club, organization or entity are Filipino citizens. The Department recognizes 
24 
the following functions, powers, duties, and responsibilities of the various national 
25 
sports associations: 
26 
a) Adopt a constitution and by-laws not inconsistent with this Act; 
27 
b) Raise funds by donations, benefits, and other means for their purposes; 
28 
c) Purchase, sell, lease or otherwise encumber property, real or personal, for the 
29 
accomplishment of their respective purposes; 
30 
d) Affiliate with international or regional sports associations; 
31 
e) Conduct competitions for the promotion of their respective sports; 
32 
f) Appoint their representative to the Philippine Olympic Committee; 
33 
g) Decide all questions on the amateur status and discipline of the athletes and 
34 
officials connected with the associations as well as the members thereof and 
35 
all disputes between members; 
36 


h) Adopt, in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee, a training 
1 
program for the development of the athletes and their preparation for 
2 
international competitions; 
3 
i) Select the athletes, coaches and other officials for their national teams taking 
4 
into consideration not only their athletic abilities but also their discipline, moral 
5 
character, aptitude and attitude; 
6 
j) Keep accurate records of all official marks, scores and results attained by the 
7 
athletes in all competitions, as well as all results of sports competitions, 
8 
recognize and confirm the same and furnish copies to the Department; 
9 
k) Qualify and license referees, umpires and other game officials who shall 
10 
officiate in competitions in their respective sports; and 
11 
l) Perform such other acts as may be deemed necessary for the proper 
12 
accomplishment of their purposes. 
13 
SECTION 26. Incentives and Other Non-monetary Benefits. The 
14 
Department shall grant incentives, cash, and other non-monetary benefits to all 
15 
national athletes, coaches, and trainers who bring honor and recognition to the country 
16 
by winning in 
17 
CHAPTER V 
18 
MISCELLANEOUS 
19 
SECTION 27. Tax Exemption. To encourage popular participation in amateur 
20 
sports, no tax of any kind shall be levied on the use of sports facilities, whether the tax 
21 
is on the user, owner, or operator of the sports facility. 
22 
SECTION 28. Donations and Contributions.  All donations and contributions 
23 
to the Department in connection with its fund-raising projects and its continuing sports 
24 
development programs shall be exempt from the donor's taxes, and shall be 
25 
deductible in full in the computation of the taxable net income of the donor. Donations 
26 
and contributions to the various national sports certified by the Department pursuant 
27 
to the development of sports in the country shall likewise be exempt from the payment 
28 
of the donor's and estate taxes and shall be deductible in full in computing the taxable 
29 
net income of the donor. 
30 
SECTION 29. Exemption from Travel Taxes. The Department and its 
31 
delegation or representatives to any international sports competitions, conventions, 
32 
conferences, meetings and events, and athletes, coaches, and other officials to any 
33 
international competition shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax, airport tax, 
34 
and any other travel-related taxes or fees now or hereafter imposed by law or 
35 
regulation. 
36 


SECTION 30. Presidential Land Grant. The provisions of any existing law to 
1 
the contrary notwithstanding, the President may, upon the recommendation of the 
2 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, grant by donation, sale, lease, or 
3 
otherwise, to the Department portions of the land of the public domain as may be 
4 
necessary for the establishment of regional training centers in all the regions of the 
5 
country and for the accomplishment of any of its purposes. 
6 
SECTION 31. Sports Facilities. The administration and full control of all 
7 
existing sports facilities, including land, buildings, and equipment owned by the 
8 
national government as well as those owned by government-funded foundations, 
9 
associations, and entities shall be transferred to the Department. The sports facilities 
10 
owned by the local government units, state colleges, and universities, or public schools 
11 
shall remain with the said institution or entities. The management and full control of all 
12 
the land, buildings, equipment, and other improvements of the government-owned 
13 
sports complex and velodrome shall be transferred to the Department upon the 
14 
effectivity of this Act. 
15 
SECTION 32. Assistance by Government Entities. The Department may call 
16 
upon any government entity for assistance in the performance of its functions and 
17 
duties. All heads of departments, agencies, corporations, and offices of the 
18 
government are hereby enjoined to render full assistance and cooperation to the 
19 
Department to ensure the attainment of its objectives and the success of the national 
20 
sports development program. 
21 
CHAPTER VI 
22 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
23 
SECTION 33. Abolition of the Philippine Sports Commission.  The 
24 
Philippine Sports Commission created under Republic Act No. 6847 is hereby 
25 
abolished. The powers and functions, applicable funds and appropriations, records, 
26 
equipment, property, and personnel shall be transferred to the Department. The 
27 
Philippine Sports Commission shall conduct an inventory of its assets and liabilities, 
28 
and shall turn over all properties, together with the inventory, to the Department and 
29 
wind up their respective affairs within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act. 
30 
All programs, contracts, and projects of the Philippine Sports Commission, 
31 
which are inconsistent with the policies and provisions of this Act, shall be terminated 
32 
on or before six (6) months from the enactment of this Act. Contracts, programs, and 
33 
projects which cannot be unilaterally terminated shall remain in full force and effect. 
34 
The Department shall negotiate for the rescission of the contract or termination of the 
35 
project or program for a period earlier than what has been previously agreed upon. 
36 
The transfer of functions, assets, funds, equipment, properties, transactions, and 
37 
personnel and formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating 
38 
system, and revised budget of the Department, shall be completed within six (6) 
39 
months from the effectivity of this Act, during which time, the existing personnel shall 
40 
continue to assume their posts in holdover capacities until new appointments are 
41 
issued; Provided, that after the abolition of the Philippine Sports Commission as 
42 


specified in this Section 29, the Department, in coordination with the Department of 
1 
Budget and Management, shall determine and create new positions, the funding 
2 
requirements of which shall not exceed the equivalent cost of positions abolished. 
3 
SECTION 34. Security of Tenure. In the implementation of this Act, there shall 
4 
be no undue separation of personnel. In the event that the lay-off of personnel 
5 
becomes unavoidable because of the abolition of their office or positions, mitigation 
6 
measures shall be adopted such as redeployment of separated employees to other 
7 
appropriate departments, agencies, or entities. 
8 
SECTION 35. Separation from Service. Employees separated from the 
9 
service as a result of this reorganization shall, within ninety (90) days therefrom, 
10 
receive the separation or retirement benefits to which they are entitled under the law. 
11 
The separation pay or retirement benefits shall have priority of payment out of the 
12 
savings of the agency. 
13 
SECTION 36. Appropriation.  In order to provide the necessary funds required 
14 
for the organization and initial calendar year of operational expenditures of the 
15 
Department, the amount of two hundred million pesos (P200,000.000.00) from the 
16 
National Treasury is hereby appropriated. Thereafter, such amount necessary for the 
17 
continued operation of the Department and the implementation of the country's 
18 
integrated sports development program shall be included in the annual General 
19 
Appropriations Act. 
20 
SECTION 37. National Sports Development Fund. To finance the country's 
21 
integrated sports development program, the holding of the national games and all 
22 
other sports competitions at all levels throughout the country, as well as to carry out 
23 
well-planned preparations to sustain the complete needs of national and development 
24 
athletes during the country's preparation and participation at international sports 
25 
competitions, such as, but not limited to the Olympics, Asian Games, Southeast Asian 
26 
Games, Paralympics, Universiade or World University Games and other international 
27 
competitions sanctioned by international sports institutions, federations, organizations 
28 
and associations, thirty percent (30%) of the charity fund representing the proceeds of 
29 
six (6) lottery draws per annum of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices, taxes 
30 
on horse races from ten (10) racing days to be determined by the Philippine Racing 
31 
Commission and the Department, five percent (5%) of the gross income before taxes 
32 
of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the proceeds from the sale of 
33 
stamps as hereinafter provided shall be automatically remitted directly to the 
34 
Department by the concerned entity and are hereby constituted as the National Sports 
35 
Development Fund.  
36 
Further, the Philippine Postal Corporation is hereby authorized to print paper 
37 
and gold stamps which shall depict sporting events and such other motif as the 
38 
Philippine Postal Service Office and the Department may agree at the expense of the 
39 
Department. 
40 


SECTION 38. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days 
1 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Sports shall issue the necessary rules 
2 
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
3 
SECTION 39. Annual Report.  The Secretary of Sports shall submit to 
4 
Congress an annual report generally dealing with the activities and operations of the 
5 
Department, together with the audit report of the relevant accounts. 
6 
SECTION 40. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held 
7 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not otherwise affected shall 
8 
remain valid and subsisting. 
9 
SECTION 41. Repealing Clause. All other laws, decrees, orders, rules, 
10 
regulations, ordinances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are 
11 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
12 
SECTION 42. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
13 
upon its publication in at least two (2) general newspapers of national circulation. 
14 
 
APPROVED. 
15