Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._4020

Introduced by Representative MARLYN PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 10, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “(he
State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.”

In 1992, Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for
Disabled Persons,” was enacted, In its declaration of policy, it is stated that
“(@isabled persons are part of Philippine society, thus the State shall give full
support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their
integration into the mainstream of society. ... It shall develop their skills and
potentials to enable them to compete favorably for available opportunities.”

The law likewise declared that “(d)isabled persons have the same rights as
other people to take their proper place in society,” and further provided that “(he
State shall advocate for and encourage respect for disabled persons, The State shall
exert all efforts to remove all social, cultural, economic, environmental and
attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to disabled persons. ...”

In line with these policies, this bill seeks to equalize opportunities for
differently-abled athletes who win in international competitions through the grant of
the same cash and non-monetary benefits and incentives given to regular national
athletes.

During the 2005 ASEAN Para Games held in the Philippines, our differently-
abled athletes finished sixth overall in the 11-nation field with a 22-41-37 gold-silver-
bronze record. This was a far cry from the 2-15-23 output in the 2003 Para Games in
Vietnam. Having brought fame, honor and glory to our country, it is but proper that
these athletes and other differently-abled athletes who will win in future international
competitions be granted the same benefits given to the regular national athletes.

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

ICIAS-AGABAS
inan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BELL No. _4U25

Introduced by Representative MARLYN PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

AN ACT
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF ATHLETES WITH DISABILITY OR
DIFFERENTLY - ABLED ATHLETES IN THE GRANTING OF CASH AND
OTHER NON-MONETARY BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9064, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9064 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 3. Definition of Terms ~ For purposes of this Act, the following
terms shall be defined as follows:

(©) International Competitions - shall refer to World, ASIAN,
ASEAN/Southeast Asian age-group championships and international sports
competitions which are sanctioned by the International Federations (IFs),
International Olympic Committee (OC), Intemational Paralympic
Committee (IPC), FAR EAST & SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES FOR THE
DISABLED (FESPIC), International Organization of Sport for the Disabled
(OSD), or held every four (4) or two (2) years or held annually including
qualifying championships in team sports wherein only one (1) or two (2)
countries may qualify for the Olympics or World championships.

Competitions granting prize money or those held in honor of any personality
or sponsor shall not be included;

(d) National Athletes with Disability or Differently-Abled Athletes — shall refer to
athletes who are Filipino citizens, members of the national sports association
for the disabled, recognized and accredited by the Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC) and the national paralympic commission, and who have
represented the country in international competitions.”

SECTION. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9064 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 4. Benefits and Privileges for National Athletes, NATIONAL
ATHLETES WITH DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED
ATHLETES, Coaches and Trainers - Any national athlete, NATIONAL
ATHLETE WITH DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETE,
coach and trainer who is currently registered as such before the PSC shall be
entitled to the following:


(a) the grant of twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments
relative to the utilization of transportation services, hotels, and other lodging
establishments, restaurants and recreation centers and purchase of medicine
and sports equipment anywhere in the country;

(b) minimum of twenty percent (20%) discount on admission fees
charged by theaters, cinema houses and concert halls, circuses, carnivals, and
other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement,

(© free medical and dental consultations in private or public hospitals
and similar establishments anywhere in the country and medical insurance
program to be provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PHIC);

(A) a comprehensive social security program to be formulated by the
Social Security System within one hundred eighty (180) days from the
approval of this Act;

(©) priority in existing livelihood programs being undertaken by
various government agencies subject to the guidelines and qualifications by
the implementing body; and

( priority in national housing programs, affordable "pabahay" loans
and other housing opportunities subject to the guidelines and qualifications
set by the National Housing Authority (NHA) or the Home Development
Mutual Fund (HDMF).

Such privately-owned establishments shall enjoy tax credits equivalent
to the discounts extended to the athletes.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall, as soon as possible,
provide for the rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.”

SECTION 3. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9064 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 5. Scholarships. - A national athlete, NATIONAL ATHLETE
WITH DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETE, who wins
in an international competition or any one qualified member of his/her
immediate family within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity shall be
entitled to scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state colleges and
universities in order to complete a college or university degree. The winning
national athlete, NATIONAL ATHLETE WITH DISABILITY OR
DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETE shall likewise be given priority in the
availment of state college and university scholarship grants.

Likewise, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the
Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) shall give
priority to winning national athletes, NATIONAL ATHLETES WITH
DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETES, who seek
scholarship grants and study under their programs subject to the qualifications
for all applicants.

Private colleges and universities shall likewise be encouraged to adopt
a similar program in their institutions for winning national athletes,
NATIONAL ATHLETES WITH DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-
ABLED ATHLETES.”


SECTION 4. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9064 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 6. Retirement Benefits. — Any national athlete, NATIONAL
ATHLETE WITH DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETE,
coach and trainer who wins in an international competition or has coached or
trained such winning national athlete, NATIONAL ATHLETE WITH
DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETE shail receive a lump
sum: amount equivalent to twenty-five percent (25%) of his/her total cash
incentives computed from the start of his /her active sports career as a
member of the national training pool or national coaches and trainers pool up
to the last day of retirement from active competition or training as certified by
the PSC. Such lump sum amount shall be extended sixty (60) days after the
filing of the retirement papers.”

SECTION 5. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9064 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 7. Death Benefits. - Upon the death of any national athlete,
NATIONAL ATHLETE WITH DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-
ABLED ATHLETE, coach and trainer, his/her primary beneficiaries shall be
entitled to a lump sum benefit of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) to cover for
his/her funeral services: Provided, That if he/she has no primary
beneficiaries, his/her secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to said benefits

For purposes of this Act, primary beneficiaries shall refer to the
legitimate spouse WIDOW OR WIDOWER, legitimate or illegitimate
children. Secondary beneficiaries shall refer to the parents, and in their
absence, to the brothers or sisters of such athlete, coach and trainer.”

SECTION 6. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9064 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 8. Cash Incentives for National Athletes, NATIONAL ATHLETES
WITH DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETES. — National
athletes, NATIONAL ATHLETES WITH DISABILITY OR
DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETES who win gold, silver and bronze
medals in international competitions shall be entitled to cash awards in the
following amounts:

‘A. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
(a) For Gold Medalists:
(1) Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) for Olympic and/or Paralympic Games;

(2) Two million five hundred thousand pesos (P2,500,000) for ALL quadrennial
World Championships;

(3) One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) for Asian Games and/or FESPIC Games,
WHICH WILL BE HELD until 2006, TO BE REPLACED BY THE ASIAN
PARA GAMES STARTING 2010;

(4) One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) for Southeast Asian Games (SEA
Games) and/or ASEAN PARA GAMES.


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(b) For Silver Medalists:
Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00) for Olympic and/or Paralympic Games;
One million pesos (P 1,000,000) for ALL quadrennial World Championships;

Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) for Asian Games and/or
FESPIC, WHICH WILL BE HELD until 2006, TO BE REPLACED BY
THE ASIAN PARA GAMES STARTING 2010;

Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) for Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
and/or ASEAN PARA GAMES.

(© For Bronze Medalists:
One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) for Olympic and/or Paralympic Games;

Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (500,000.00) for ALL quadrennial World
Championships;

One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) for Asian Games and/or
FESPIC, WHICH WILL BE HELD until 2006, TO BE REPLACED BY
THE ASIAN PARA GAMES STARTING 2010;

Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) for Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
and/or ASEAN PARA GAMES.

B. TEAM EVENTS

For competitions with less than five (5) participants per team, the team
shall receive the same cash awards for individual medal winners as herein
provided, to be divided equally among the team members actually present
during the competition.

For competitions with five (5) or more participants per team, the team
shall receive twice the cash awards for individual winners to be divided
equally among the team members actually present during the competition:

Provided, That for demonstration and exhibition sports events in the
Olympic and/or paralympic Games, winning national athletes, NATIONAL
ATHLETES WITH DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED
ATHLETES shall receive fifty percent (50%) of the cash awards for Olympic
and/or paralympic medalists as herein provided;

Provided, further, That for SEA Games and/or ASEAN PARA
GAMES, monetary incentives shall be given starting 2001 to the winning
athletes or teams who have equaled or surpassed the existing game records or
the previous placing in non-measurable events.

C. AGE GROUP COMPETITIONS

FOR NATIONAL ATHLETES AND national Athletes with
Disability or Dilfferently-Abled Athletes IN AGE-GROUP
COMPETITIONS, Only THOSE who are members of the National Pool,
accredited and recognized by theIR RESPECTIVE National Sports
Associations and the Philippine Sports Commission, shall be entitled to THE
FOLLOWING cash awardS:


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(a) For Gold Medalists:

THREE Hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) for ALL quadrennial World
Championships;

one hundred thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) for Asian Games and/or FESPIC
Games, WHICH WILL BE HELD until 2006, TO BE REPLACED BY THE
ASIAN PARA GAMES STARTING 2010;

Fifteen thousand pesos (15,000) for Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
and/or ASEAN PARA GAMES.

(b) For Silver Medalists:

One hundred fifty thousand pesos (P150,000.00) for ALL quadrennial World
Championships;

Seventy five Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00) for Asian Games and/or FESPIC,
WHICH WILL BE HELD until 2006, TO BE REPLACED BY THE ASIAN,
PARA GAMES STARTING 2010;

Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) for Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
and/or ASEAN PARA GAMES.

(© For Bronze Medalists:

Seventy five thousand pesos (P75,000.00) for ALL quadrennial World
Championships;

Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for Asian Games and/or FESPIC,
WHICH WILL BE HELD until 2006, TO BE REPLACED BY THE ASIAN
PARA GAMES STARTING 2010;

Five thousand pesos (P5,000) for Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
and/or ASEAN PARA GAMES.

They shall also be entitled to Elementary, High School and College
educational scholarship, as the case may be, in state-run educational
institutions.”

SECTION 7. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9064 is hereby amended to read

as follows:

“SEC. 9. Benefits, Privileges and Incentives for Past Achievers. - Any
national athlete, NATIONAL ATHLETE WITH DISABILITY OR
DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETE who, prior to the enactment of this
Act, had won gold, silver or bronze medals in international competitions
except SEA Games AND/OR ASEAN PARA GAMES, shall be entitled to
the benefits and privileges provided under Section 4 and fifty percent (50%) of
the cash incentives provided under Section 8 of this Act. Such incentives shall
be the difference between the cash award received under Administrative
Order No. 352 and the cash award provided under this Act.”

SECTION 8. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9064 is hereby amended to read

as follows:


“SEC. 12. Funding. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
the cash incentives and retirement benefits program of this Act shall be taken
from the net cash income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation (PAGCOR), to be remitted directly as a special account to the
National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) of the PSC. This is in addition to
the regular income share of the PSC pursuant to Republic Act No. 6847.

A separate fund equivalent to not less than sixty percent (60%) of
existing NSDF shall be automatically set aside for the training and
preparation of national athletes, NATIONAL ATHLETES WITH
DISABILITY OR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETES covered by this
Act.

Not less than five percent (5%) of the NSDF shall be set aside for the
selection of individual athletes at the elementary and high school levels in
track and field, swimming, badminton, pingpong and similar individual sports
events where the Philippines can develop into world class competitors. Said
fund shall be administered by the Department of Education, Culture and
Sports (DECS).”

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or part of this Act, or the

application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining sections of this Act or the application of such
provision or part hereof to other persons or circumstance shall remain in full force
and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules

and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION LI. Effctivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

approval and publication in the Official Gazette and/or in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,