Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, AND 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In an era when children most often turn to screens for entertainment, our indigenous 
games remain a vibrant, living expression of Filipino creativity and heritage. These traditional 
games stimulate physical agility, cognitive development, and social interaction, weaving 
values such as teamwork, resilience, and cultural pride into everyday play. Studies indicate 
that these games foster holistic development – enhancing physical health (95%), cognitive 
skills (95%), and socio-emotional growth (96%).1 
Preserving these games is not merely an act of nostalgia, but a necessary step in 
ensuring that Filipino youth remain connected to their roots while developing the skills and 
values essential for active and responsible citizenship.2 
To reinvigorate this vital aspect of our communal life, this bill seeks to celebrate and 
institutionalize indigenous games by empowering the Philippine Sports Commission, the 
Philippine Olympic Committee, and local government units to organize annual regional and 
national indigenous games competitions. The measure aims to ensure that games like 
patintero, tumbang preso, siato, and taguan continue to unite, educate, and inspire future 
generations. 
This bill draws from earlier efforts in the 17th,18th, and 19th Congresses, where it was 
approved in principle but fell short of enactment due to timing constraints. Continuing that 
momentum, this renewed initiative reaffirms our enduring commitment to preserving and 
promoting our shared cultural play heritage. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
1 Dizer, R., Logan, I. L. N., & Raval, K. M. R. (2022). Laro ng Lahi: A study on the perceived benefits of playing indigenous 
games on the holistic development of Filipinos born in the ’80s. Philippine Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 27, 91–
114. University of the Philippines Visayas.
https://pjssh.upv.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/91-114-PJSSH-22-27-D01_Laro-ng-Lahi.pdf
2 RichestPH. (N.D.). Filipino Kids Learn Coordination Through Traditional Games in Fitness Class.
https://richestph.com/filipino-kids-learn-coordination-through-traditional-games-in-fitness-class/
August 14, 2025
6:30 pm
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HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE 
HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, AND 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 
AN ACT PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS GAMES OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Indigenous Games 
Preservation Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – Article II, Section 22 of the Constitution provides that 
the State shall recognize and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the 
framework of national unity and development. Furthermore, Article 31.1 of the United Nations 
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples enjoins all State signatories to take effective 
measures to recognize and protect the exercise of the indigenous peoples' rights which include 
the maintenance, control, and development of their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge 
and expression, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports, and traditional games. 
Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it is incumbent upon the State to lay down specific 
policy directives to promote the interest of our indigenous peoples, preserve the intangible 
cultural heritage as living heritage and help people connect with their historical roots. The 
State shall take the necessary steps to preserve the indigenous peoples' games which serve 
as the best avenue for their self-expression, and for promoting peace, harmony, goodwill, and 
camaraderie among them. 
SECTION 3. Indigenous Games. – The term "indigenous games" refer to the traditional 
sports and games distinctly connected and rooted in the traditions, customs, and practices, 
and reflect the rich cultural heritage of the different indigenous cultural communities or 
indigenous peoples, handed down from generation to generation such as bunong braso, 
ginnuyudan, hilahang lubid, kadang-kadang, karera sa sako, luksong-tinik, patintero, syato, 
unggoy-unggoyan. These include games played by the indigenous communities, usually 
accompanied by indigenous materials and implements, in observance of indigenous peoples' 
rituals, celebration of cultural festivals, expression of socialization, entertainment, and 
competition. 
SECTION 4. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Sports Competitions. – The 
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) shall, in coordination with the Philippine Olympic 
Committee (POC), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the local 
government units (LGUS), conduct annual regional and national indigenous sports 
competitions. 
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The host LGU shall, in coordination and consultation with the concerned indigenous 
cultural communities or indigenous peoples, identify which games or sports events shall be 
included in the regional and national indigenous sports competitions. 
 
SECTION 5. Other Means of Preserving the Indigenous Games. – The NCIP and the 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) shall, in coordination with the 
Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the PSC, 
POC, LGUs, and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), initiate measures to preserve 
indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of indigenous games as part of the 
curriculum and other appropriate school activities in the basic and higher education system, 
the production of documentary and other materials on indigenous games, and the conduct of 
regular demonstration of such games in the Palarong Pambansa and in other national sports 
events. 
 
The NCIP and the NCCA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports and 
games traditionally played by different indigenous groups, in consultation with the concerned 
indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples, to ensure the preservation and 
continuity of the indigenous games. 
 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The PSC and the NCIP as the lead 
agencies shall, in coordination with the POC, NCCA, DepEd, CHED, LGUs, and PIA, 
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) 
days after its effectivity. 
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules, and 
regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, 
modified, or repealed accordingly. 
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,